Tremor rocks Algeria

An earthquake measuring 5.7 on the Richter scale shook an area close to the Algerian capital on Saturday evening, slightly injuring about 300 panic-stricken residents, official media reported.

The epicentre was located in the Mediterranean village of Zemmouri, the same area as a devastating quake that measured 6.8 on Richter scale and killed 2,300 people last May 21. Zemmouri is located 50 kilometres east of the capital Algiers.

State television said 300 residents, of several areas including Algiers and Boumerdes, sustained slight injuries, including fractured and sprained limbs when they jumped out of windows after the tremor jolted their houses.

It also reported material damage to old and already-damaged buildings from the May quake.