El Salvador Reels from Second Major Quake

Written by Christina Ward, Staff Writer, RedCross.org

February 14, 2001 — The death toll is now at least 260 after a 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck El Salvador on Tuesday (Feb. 13), according to reports from the country's National Emergency Committee (COEN). Tuesday's quake hit exactly one month after a 7.6 earthquake killed more than 800 people and left tens of thousands homeless. Salvadoran President Francisco Flores has issued an appeal for international assistance in rescuing the dozens of people who may now be trapped under collapsed homes and buildings.

So far, more than 2,000 people are reported injured after Tuesday's quake. The number is expected to rise.

Initial reports indicate that more than 2,000 people were injured in the latest quake, and more than 2,200 homes were destroyed. The numbers are likely to increase as damage assessments continue on Wednesday. CNN reported that the epicenter of the quake was about 15 miles (24 kilometers) southeast of the capital city of San Salvador. Landslides have been reported throughout the area — roughly the same region damaged in the first quake.

Lopenz Portillo of COEN told the media that five villages near the San Vicente volcano were partially or fully destroyed. At least 40 people are thought to be buried in two of those villages. Portillo said that rescue teams had arrived from Guatemala on Tuesday, and Spanish teams were en route.

The International Red Cross remains in the area, still providing relief to victims of the Jan. 13 earthquake. Red Cross spokesman Iain Logan reported "extensive damage" in villages around the capital after the latest quake.

Red Cross workers immediately responded and are providing relief and support throughout the area.

"I'm afraid it's just an add-on to the anxiety that we've had in the last few weeks," Logan said.

Since the January quake, officials have reported some 500 aftershocks, causing widespread anxiety and panic among local residents. Tuesday's quake — which has not been confirmed as an aftershock — caused hundreds of people to flee their homes in fear.

Eight Red Cross assessment teams are working throughout El Salvador, including 70 El Salvador Red Cross volunteers. Two hospitals in San Salvador and Chalatenago were forced to evacuate all patients on Tuesday, and the Red Cross has supplied tents and plastic sheeting for them. Several national Red Cross societies, including the American, Spanish, French and German Red Cross societies, are sending additional people, supplies and money to help El Salvador deal with the latest disaster.

According to information from the Red Cross teams, heavily damaged areas include San Vicente, La Paz and Cuscatlan. The San Salvador airport was temporarily closed on Tuesday, and many area roads were partially blocked by mudslides. Communication, electricity and water sanitation systems have been damaged, particularly in outlying villages.

New damage will make the ongoing recovery much more difficult in this still-suffering region.

At a school in Calendaria, located in the state of Cuscatlan, five people were reportedly killed, including four children and one teacher. In Los Colinas, where at least 500 people were killed last month, more mudslides were reported, but no significant additional damage.

The Salvadoran Red Cross is working with the Salvadoran military to assist in search and rescue efforts. Additionally, Red Cross workers are providing first aid, ambulance service, potable water and relief goods — blankets, canopies and plastic sheeting — throughout the affected areas.

International Red Cross teams are currently assessing damage and needs and distributing tent materials in Cojutepeque, Zacatecoluca, San Pedro de Nonuhualco and San Vicente. Additional teams are on the way to surrounding villages.