Quake felt across central and east Africa

A powerful earthquake in Lake Tanganyika was felt across east and central Africa today, sending workers in the centre of Nairobi fleeing their offices in panic.

The United States Geological Survey said its 6.8 measurement was preliminary. It located the epicentre about six miles below the surface of Lake Tanganyika, between Congo and Tanzania. Quakes of magnitude 7 can cause widespread and heavy damage.