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Earth tremor causes nationwide panic

28/05/2012 00:00:00 ZWELIHLE SUKATI

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MBABANE – There was great panic last night as a suspected earth tremor reverberated through many parts of the country.

A few minutes after 9pm, the ground shook for about 20 seconds much to the surprise of many locals sending them into a state of panic.

The Times newsroom was inundated with telephone calls from worried individuals who wanted to know what caused the quivering movement.

One caller from Mankayane said pupils at a nearby hostel ran out of their rooms in fear.

Another woman who said she was calling from Ezulwini said she was afraid of going to sleep and would rather sleep outside.

From Shiselweni another caller said he fell from his bed due to the impact. He said he was calling from Hlatikhulu.

Some suggested it was the end of the world.

The panic was similar to the one experienced in October 2010.

The tremor in 2010 resulted in walls cracking at the Mankayane police camp and was said to be a result of an earthquake occurring in Piet Retief South Africa.

The Department of Geological Survey and Mines at the time confirmed the country experienced an earthquake that was felt in areas around Mankayane and Mangcongco.

Government Spokesperson Percy Simelane yesterday said they would investigate the effects of the tremor and its origins today.

Comments

Swaziland, always lagging behind. Why was the nation not told in advance? Are'nt there early warning systems in place? Why is Percy saying they are only now going to investigate? Should disaster strike first before the state can scramble and attempt to investigate?
May 28, 2012, 6:47 AM, Skhebhe

Ngtive ngfuna kuya endlini yangasense kulentfo leyenteke itolo,tandazani makholwa uJesu uyeza
May 28, 2012, 8:36 AM, Zwelakhe B Dlamini

Earthquakes are almost impossible to predict. 9 times out of 10, we have to react to them, we can't warn people in time. They are very spontaneous. Remember SD does not lie on a fault line, like L.A. and Japan
May 28, 2012, 9:28 AM, know your geography (nonyabiz@hmmm.com)

Wena S'kebhe uyasiyenga phela nyalo...no country in the world can predict or forecast when or where an earthquake will strike...they can only evacuate areas due to Tsunami scares and this is usually based on the assumption that a Tsunami will follow in Coastal areas. Unemanga nje wena...lagging behind wekudlala.You are so hell-bent on discrediting Swaziland soze ucamba emanga.Here is my advice neh,read more and leave propaganda to its masters.
May 28, 2012, 9:40 AM, Gubevu (simerccc@yahoo.com)

You cannot predict an earthquake yet. It is why the government of Swaziland could not warn her population in advance.
May 28, 2012, 12:53 PM, alain thijs (allimpex@icon.co.za)

@Skhebhe sir. I believe the country is not lagging behind at least in this one thing. There is no technology available yet, that is able to detect earthquakes. Even the most advanced and most affected countries are not able to forecast earthquakes.
May 28, 2012, 2:25 PM, Mncedisi Mashwama (mpmashwama@gmail.com)