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Earthquake causes grave damage in southern Russia
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-10-14 17:04

MOSCOW -- More than 1,000 buildings in southern Russian were damaged in Saturday's earthquake that has claimed 13 lives and affected thousands of local residents, local media reported on Tuesday.

"All in all, 1,027 buildings and facilities were damaged, including 1,014 private houses and 13 socially important facilities such as hospitals," Itar-Tass cited a spokesman of the Russian Ministry for Emergencies.

The quake measuring over 5 on the Richter scale hit Russia's North Caucasus region of Chechnya at about 1 p.m. Moscow time (0900 GMT) Saturday and tremors were felt throughout the neighboring republics of Dagestan, Ingushetia, North Ossetia, and the Stavropol region.

Rescue and restoration works are going on in the regions where the emergency situation regime has been posed.

A total of 13 people, including six children, died in the earthquake. Some 105 people got injuries, 26 of whom are staying in hospitals at present, Itar-Tass said.