DHA-GENEVA 95/0111
SITUATION
1. ON 23 FEBRUARY 1995 AT 2100 GMT CYPRUS WAS HIT BY A MODERATE EARTHQUAKE, (HYPOCENTRE LATITUDE 35.1 DEGREES N, LONGITUDE 32.3 DEGREES EAST) ABOUT 50 MILES (80 KM) NORTHWEST OF LIMASSOL OR 60 MILES (100 KM) WEST OF NICOSIA. THE PRELIMINARY MAGNITUDE WAS REGISTERED BY THE UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY AT 5.8 ON THE RICHTER SCALE. IT WAS FOLLOWED BY A SERIES OF FIVE AFTERSHOCKS AFFECTING MAINLY THE WESTERN SECTOR OF THE ISLAND.
2. PRELIMINARY REPORTS FROM THE UNITED NATIONS RESIDENT COORDINATOR IN CYPRUS INDICATE A DEATH TOLL OF TWO, WITH TWELVE TO FIFTEEN PERSONS INJURED. SOME DAMAGE WAS CAUSED IN THE REGION OF PAPHOS.
3. NATIONAL AUTHORITIES ARE PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO THE AFFECTED POPULATION. OFFICIAL ENQUIRIES WERE MADE BY THE UN RESIDENT COORDINATOR WITH THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT AND THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS. THE RESPONSE WAS THAT THE SITUATION IS UNDER CONTROL AND THE GOVERNMENT WILL NOT REQUEST INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE.
4. THIS WILL BE THE ONLY INFORMATION REPORT ON THIS EMERGENCY UNLESS FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS OCCUR.
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