News

Thousands Without Power in Australia's Tasmania State After Heavy Rains, Damaging WindsCanberra, 1 Sep (ONA) --- Tens of thousands of people in Australia's southern island state of Tasmania were without power after a cold front brought damaging winds and heavy rains, sparking flood warnings. "Around 30,000 customers are without power across the state this morning," state-owned power company Tasnetworks said. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology said that a cold front over Tasmania, population around 570,000 people, was moving away, "although bands of showers and ...

Typhoon Shanshan Makes Landfall in Japan, Leaves Casualties Tokyo, 29 Aug (ONA) --- Three people died and 40 were injured according to a preliminary toll as Typhoon Shanshan made landfall on Japan's main island of Kyushu in southwestern Japan. The Typhoon disrupted air and train traffic and cut off power. The Japan Meteorological Agency reported that the typhoon, with winds of up to 198 kph, made landfall near the city of Satsumasendai on the southwestern island of Kyushu today. The Agency urged residents in the affected areas to remain on high alert for natural ...

Magnitude6.1 EarthquakeHits ElSalvador San Salvador, 29 Aug (ONA) --- An earthquake measuring 6.1 magnitude on the Richter scale struck off the coast of El Salvador today. The earthquake occurred 70 km south of Mizata Beach in La Libertad, at a depth of 33.9 km, the US Geological Survey (USGS) reported. For its part, El Salvador's Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN) ruled out, via 'X' platform, the country being threatened by a tsunami due to the earthquake, noting that seismic activity is being closely monitored. --- Ends/AG ...

5.1-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Kermadec Islands Off New Zealand CoastWellington, 28 Aug (ONA) --- An earthquake measuring 5.1 magnitude on the Richter scale today struck the Kermadec Islands off the coast of New Zealand.The US Geological Survey (USGS) said that the earthquake occurred at a depth of 53.4 km.There have been no reports of casualties or material losses due to the earthquake so far.--- Ends/AH ...

Earthquake of 4.9 Magnitude Hits Vanuatu Port Vila, 28 Aug (ONA) --- An earthquake measuring 4.9 magnitude on the Richter scale today struck off the coast of Vanuatu Island in the South Pacific Ocean.The US Geological Survey (USGS) said that the earthquake occurred 21 km from the village of Port Olry, at a depth of 10 km. No tsunami warning was issued, and no casualties or material damage were reported as a result of the earthquake.Vanuatu Island, an archipelago of volcanic origin in the South Pacific Ocean, is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where tectonic plates meet and their ...

5.8-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Kepulauan Babar Region in Eastern Indonesia Jakarta, 27 Aug (ONA) --- An earthquake measuring 5.8 magnitude on the Richter scale struck off the coast of the Maluku Islands in eastern Indonesia today.No casualties or property damage have been reported so far.The US Geological Survey reported that the earthquake occurred in the Kepulauan Babar region, east of the Maluku Archipelago, at a depth of 80.1 km A 4.6-magnitude earthquake struck the Kepulauan Babar region two days ago, without any damage reported. --- ...

22 Dead in Pakistan Bus AccidentIslamabad, 25 Aug (ONA) - At least 22 people died when a bus plunged into a ravine in Pakistan today. A spokesman for the Rescue 1122 emergency service in Punjab said that so far 22 people died, including 15 men, six women and a child.—— ...

Russia's Kamchatka Region Hit by New 6.1-Magnitude EarthquakeMoscow, 22 Aug (ONA) --- An earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale struck the Kamchatka region in Russia's far east.The Russian Academy of Sciences said in a statement today that the earthquake occurred at a depth of 39 km, and its epicenter was 120 km from the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, the administrative center of the region which has a population of more than 160,000 people. There have been no reports of casualties, injuries or material damages as a result of the earthquake. The same region witnessed ...

5-Magnitude Quake Hits Northwest ChinaBeijing, 22 Aug (ONA) ---- An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.0 jolted Kuqa City in Aksu Prefecture of northwest China's Xinjiang Thursday, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC).The epicenter was monitored at 40.92 degrees north latitude and 83.97 degrees east longitude. The quake struck at a depth of 15 km, said a report issued by the CENC.So far, there were no immediate reports of human loss or material damage caused by the earthquake. --- ...

17 Killed in Explosion at Pharmaceutical Factory in India New Delhi, 22 Aug (ONA) --- Seventeen people died and others injured in an explosion at a pharmaceutical factory in the state of Andhra Pradesh, in southern India.Local authorities said that the explosion led to the injury of 35 people, and they were transferred to a local hospital for treatment. The fire broke out in the 40-acre private manufacturing unit that has been operating since 2019 in Anakapalli area. Two people died and five others injured last year in a similar fire that broke out in a solvent reactor in a unit in ...

EU Airports to Bring Back Tighter Liquid Rules for Carry-On Baggage Berlin, 21 Aug (ONA) ---- Rules for liquids in hand luggage are being tightened again at airports throughout the European Union beginning on September 1, when passengers will once again be limited to containers of no more than 100 millilitres.Passengers are also required to pack liquid containers together in a single transparent plastic bag with a maximum volume of 1 litre.The liquid rules, which were introduced back in 2006, had been loosened at some German airport checkpoints if baggage could be checked using ...

Five Dead in Northwest China Factory ExplosionBeijing, 20 Aug (ONA) --- Five people died in an explosion at a workshop in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, according to local authorities.The incident took place at a workshop of a new material company located at Ningdong Energy Chemical Industry Base. The open flames at the scene had been fully extinguished.Rescuers found three people dead at the scene, and later confirmed two previously missing people dead.The search and rescue tasks have ended. The cause is currently under investigation. --- ...

Hurricane Hits Italy, Causes Heavy Rain Across Country Rome, 20 Aug (ONA) --- A hurricane coming from northern Europe caused widespread weather disturbances in Italy, bringing heavy rainfall to many areas and a drop in temperatures. The hurricane caused the destabilization of the atmosphere and the emergence of thunderstorms that swept across Italy from the northeast to the south.The Italian official news agency (ANSA) reported that temperatures will return to normal once the hurricane passes, and a tropical climate will prevail, with temperatures rising to 35 degrees Celsius in the ...

Two Consecutive Earthquakes Hit Kashmir Region between India, Pakistan Islamabad, 20 Aug (ONA) ---- Two consecutive earthquakes with magnitudes ranging between 5.1 and 5.3 on the Richter scale struck the Kashmir region between India and Pakistan today.The epicenter of the two earthquakes was at a depth of 20 km, Pakistan Meteorological and Geological Survey reported in a statement.There has bene no report of casualties or material losses due to the earthquakes so far.Various parts of the Pakistani side of the disputed Kashmir region with India were hit by a violent earthquake in ...

Magnitude-5.1 Earthquake Strikes Northeast of Japanese Capital Tokyo Tokyo, 19 Aug (ONA) --- A 5.1-magnitude earthquake struck the Japanese capital Tokyo and northeast parts of the country today.The Japan Meteorological Agency reported that the earthquake occurred in the northern Ibaraki Prefecture, with a magnitude of 5 on Japan's 7-level earthquake scale.Japan's (Kyodo) News Agency said that no tsunami warning has been issued, while there were no immediate reports of human loss or material damage caused by the earthquake.--- Ends/AH ...

Earthquake of 4.8 Magnitude Strikes Northern ChileSantiago, 18 Aug (ONA) --- An earthquake measuring 4.8 magnitude on the Richter scale hit the Tarapaca region in northern Chile today.The epicenter of the earthquake occurred 51 from the town of Camina, at a depth of 100.1 km, the US Geological Survey (USGS) reported.There have been no reports of casualties or material damage due to the earthquake so far.Chile is located along the Ring of Fire where many earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur.In 2010, a massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck central Chile, killing at least 500 ...

Three Dead, Three Missing in Coal Mine Accident in ChinaBeijing, 18 Aug (ONA) --- Three people died and three others remained missing following a coal mine accident in Weixin County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, local authorities confirmed today.The accident, which took place at around 5:40 a.m. at a coal mine in Santao Township, is suspected to involve a coal and gas outburst, according to the county's emergency management department.Rescue operations are currently underway at the site. --- Ends/AH ...

Japan Cancels Hundreds of Flights, Halts Train Services as Typhoon Ampil Approaches Tokyo, 15 Aug (ONA) --- Japan announced today the cancelation of hundreds of flights to and from Tokyo's Haneda airport and Narita airport, close to the capital.Days after Tropical Storm Maria dumped record rains, Typhoon Ampil was set late Thursday to skirt the capital, which has a population of almost 40 million, before sweeping the Pacific coast on Friday and Saturday.East Japan Railway Co. said parts of the Tohoku, Joetsu, Hokuriku and Yamagata shinkansen services will be suspended Friday, as well ...

5.2-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Western Indonesia Jakarta, 15 Aug (ONA) --- An earthquake measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale today hit Banten province, west of the Indonesian capital Jakarta.According to a statement by the Indonesian Meteorological, Climatological, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG), the epicenter of the earthquake was 87 km away and 10 km deep.There have been no reports of any material damage or human losses due to the earthquake so far. --- ...

Flights Suspended Due to Climate Activists Protests at German Airports Berlin, 15 Aug (ONA) --- Flights were suspended at two airports after an environmental activist group launched protest actions at several German airports today.The activists infiltrated the airports of Berlin-Brandenburg, Stuttgart, Nuremberg, and Cologne-Bonn, with an average of two activists per airport.According to a German police spokesman, air traffic at Nuremberg Airport has been suspended until further notice.For his part, a spokesman for Cologne-Bonn Airport announced that air traffic at the airport had been ...

Work Team Dispatched after River Embankment Breached in North ChinaBeijing, 14 Aug (ONA) —- China has sent a team of experts to north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region where the embankment of a river was breached following recent torrential rains. The dike breach, measuring over 10 meters in width, occurred at the Laoha River in Taipingdi Town of Chifeng City, according to China's News Agency (Xinhua). The Chinese Ministry of Emergency Management has deployed 100 people and 35 sets of rescue equipment from a disaster response base to handle the emergency and ...

EU Lends Support as Greece and Albania Battle WildfiresBrussels, 13 Aug (ONA) --- The European Commission today announced that it was activating a system for European countries to help Greece and Albania battle ongoing wildfires. At a press conference held today, a commission spokesman said the support to Greece includes: two planes from Italy, two helicopters from France and Serbia, and ground firefighting crews from the Czech Republic, France, Italy, Romania and Serbia. Romanian, Maltese and Moldovan firefighters were already in Greece, the spokesman ...

Elderly Woman Dies, 25 Injured in Syria EarthquakeDamascus, 13 Aug (ONA) --- An elderly woman died of a severe panic attack following the strong earthquake that rocked eastern Hama in northern Syria last night. According to Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), nearly 25 people were slightly injured as they quickly rushed out from their homes when the earthquake occurred. Some people also suffered from panic attack and nervous breakdown as a result of the quake. The 5.5 magnitude struck east of Hama city, northern Syria, with aftershocks felt in neighboring Lebanon and ...

New Towns Evacuated as Wildfires Approach Athens in Greece Athens, 12 Aug (ONA) --- Greek Civil Defense ordered the evacuation of new towns northeast of the capital, Athens, to confront a huge fire that broke out yesterday (Sunday) and continues to expand rapidly, approaching the capital. Fire brigade spokesman Vassilis Vathrakoyannis said at a press conference that all civil defense forces fought throughout the night and despite tremendous efforts, the fire continues to spread rapidly and is extending towards Penteli. At least five other areas were evacuated ...

Japan Braces for Landslides, Floods after Typhoon HitsTokyo, 12 Aug (ONA) --- The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said that a typhoon made landfall in Iwate Prefecture today and could bring record-breaking rainfall as it moves across the northeastern region. The JMA warned that Typhoon Maria, the first to make landfall on the Japanese archipelago this year (2024), could unleash landslides, overflowing rivers, flooding in low-lying areas, strong winds, and high waves. In 24 hours to Tuesday morning, the typhoon was forecast to bring up to 250 millimeters of ...

Heavy Rains Kill 32 People in IndiaNew Delhi, 12 Aug (ONA) --- Heavy rains in northern and northwestern India have killed at least 32 people in the past 48 hours. Local media reported that heavy rainfall triggered landslides, disrupted traffic, and destroyed homes. In Haryana state, a dam breach resulted in flooding across several villages. Rajasthan state experienced the most severe human impact from the rains, with 17 fatalities recorded over the past two days.The India Meteorological Department announced late Sunday that exceptionally heavy rainfall was observed over ...

6 Dead, 10 Injured in Lightning Strike in ChinaBeijing, 12 Aug (ONA) --- Six people died and 10 others were injured after a lightning strike caused a park pavilion to collapse in the city of Changzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, local authorities said today. The lightning struck Hengshanqiao Township in Changzhou Economic Development Zone, causing the pavilion collapse and trapping some people who were sheltering from the rain, China'a Xinhua News Agency reported. Search and rescue concluded late yesterday, and all 16 people were rushed to the hospital. Six of ...

Earthquake of 7.1 Magnitude Strikes Southwestern Japan, Tsunami Warning Issued Tokyo, 8 Aug (ONA) --- A strong earthquake measuring 7.1 magnitude on the Richter scale struck off the coast of Miyazaki Prefecture and other areas in southwestern Japan today. Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said that the earthquake occurred at a depth of 30 km. JMA issued tsunami warnings for the islands of Kyushu, Miyazaki and other prefectures in the southwest of the country. A 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck off the Fukushima region in northeastern Japan on 4 April 2023. In ...

2 Dead, 8 Trapped after Hotel Building Collapse in GermanyBerlin, 7 Aug (ONA) --- German police said that two persons died today after a hotel partially collapsed in the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate, while eight others are still under the rubble, some of them seriously injured. Rescue operations are underway at the scene of the accident, in the town of Krov on the Moselle River. People were able to leave the building on their own and are now under the care of emergency services, police added. The cause of the accident, which occurred last night is not yet ...

Residential Building Collapse Kills Three in Southern ChinaBeijing, 7 Aug (ONA) --- Three people died and another was injured when a residential building collapsed in Zhuhai City, Guangdong Province in southern China. According to initial investigations, the collapse of the building may have been caused by a gas explosion, Xinhua News Agency reported, citing local authorities. Authorities are still investigating the circumstances of the accident.--- ...