Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06HARARE210
2006-02-23 09:57:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Harare
Cable title:  

ZIMBABWE SHAKEN BUT NOT STIRRED IN MOZAMBIQUE

Tags:  SENV TPHY PREL ASEC CASC ZI 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO6302
RR RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR
DE RUEHSB #0210 0540957
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 230957Z FEB 06
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9640
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
RUEHUJA/AMEMBASSY ABUJA 1108
RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 1114
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0565
RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 3510
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0940
RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME 1568
RUEHC/DEPT OF INTERIOR WASHDC
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUFGNOA/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0547
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1323
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
UNCLAS HARARE 000210 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

AF/S FOR B. NEULING
NSC FOR DNSA ABRAMS, SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR C. COURVILLE
USDOC FOR BECKY ERKUL
TREASURY FOR J. RALYEA. B. CUSHMAN
PASS USTR FOR FLORIZELLE LISER
STATE PASS USAID FOR MARJORIE COPSON, ERIC LOKEN
INTERIOR PASS USGS FOR LINDA C. GUNDERSON

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV TPHY PREL ASEC CASC ZI
SUBJECT: ZIMBABWE SHAKEN BUT NOT STIRRED IN MOZAMBIQUE
EARTHQUAKE


UNCLAS HARARE 000210

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

AF/S FOR B. NEULING
NSC FOR DNSA ABRAMS, SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR C. COURVILLE
USDOC FOR BECKY ERKUL
TREASURY FOR J. RALYEA. B. CUSHMAN
PASS USTR FOR FLORIZELLE LISER
STATE PASS USAID FOR MARJORIE COPSON, ERIC LOKEN
INTERIOR PASS USGS FOR LINDA C. GUNDERSON

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV TPHY PREL ASEC CASC ZI
SUBJECT: ZIMBABWE SHAKEN BUT NOT STIRRED IN MOZAMBIQUE
EARTHQUAKE



1. (U) According to the United States Geological Survey, an
earthquake registering 7.5 on the Richter Scale hit 140 miles
southwest of Beira, Mozambique at 12:19 AM Central Africa
Time (CAT) on 23 February 2006. The epicenter was at
Espungabera, a small town right on Zimbabwe's eastern border
with Mozambique. The earthquake was followed by two
aftershocks in the same area at 3:23 AM CAT (registering 5.4
on the Richter Scale) and at 4:22 AM CAT (registering 5.3 on
the Richter Scale). Residents throughout Zimbabwe felt the
original tremor while only residents near the Mozambique
border felt the aftershocks.


2. (U) Residents of Harare, Mutare, and other Zimbabwean
cities poured into the streets as they felt and heard
buildings rattle and shake. Thus far, according to official
GOZ press, there have been no reports of injuries or damage
to property. Mr. Munyaradzi Mukandi, a geologist at the
Zimbabwe Geological Survey Department, told EmbStaff that
they had received no reports of injuries or property damage.
In Mutare, a town on the border with Mozambique, suspended
Mayor M.T. Kagurabadza told PolOff on February 23 that he had
not heard or seen any injuries or property damage.
Manicaland Publicity Association Director Fadzi Mugwagwa told
PolOff on February 23 that she had heard no reports of
injuries but had one unconfirmed report of cracks in the
foundation of one building. She was still to identify the
building and to confirm the extent of damage, if any.


3. (U) The earthquake was a surprise for Zimbabweans as
southern Africa is not traditionally known as earthquake
territory. However, the unexpected event is the talk of the
town today, providing a distraction for residents from the
country,s political and economic crises.
DELL