Gallery: supply shortage as quake death toll rises

The magnitude 5.7 earthquake in Kagera region caused ‘widespread damage’ and killed at least 15 people and injured hundreds more. Photo: Tanzania Red Cross Society

At least 15 people have been killed and medical supplies are in short supply after Saturday’s magnitude 5.7 earthquake in Kagera region.

A further 300 people have been injured, says the Tanzanian Red Cross Society.

“The city’s main hospital … is currently stretched to nearly full capacity and has limited stock of medicine,” says Andreas Sandin, a Red Cross operations coordinator.

Over 270 homes were destroyed and widespread damage is evident in Bukoba, a city of 70,000 hardest hit by the quake.

Bukoba is just 44 kilometers from the epicenter.

“Telecommunications have been disrupted and we are trying to get a clear picture of the damage to hospitals and other essential infrastructure,” says Sandin.

The quake happened near the border with Uganda at 15:27 local time on September 10, says the US Geological Survey (USGS.)

Only minor damage has been reported on the Ugandan side of the border.