Two quakes rock Rwanda and Congo

Two earthquakes have struck in Africa, killing at least 26 people.

The first, 6.0-magnitude quake struck Congo early today, according to the US Geological Survey.

In the lakeside city of Bukavu, Mayor Raisi Kunda said five people were killed and 149 wounded there.

Mr Kunda said many homes, as well as schools and churches, were damaged in the city, but the extent was not immediately clear.

The second quake, which registered 5.0, hit a few hours later near the countries’ border, in Rwanda’s rural Rusizi District.

It killed at least 21 people – including some who were in church at the time, a government official said.

“At least 21 are dead but they’re still searching,” said Frank Mugambage, an official in the president’s office.

Scores were believed to be injured, and rescuers were searching for victims, Mugambage said by telephone.

Police were sending rescue helicopters to the area in south-western Rwanda, near the Congolese border.

The area is part of Africa’s Great Rift Valley, which includes a seismically active fault line.