Earthquake Rocks New Kyoto, Ozawa 7/11/3132
INN - Interstellar News Network
OZAWA—New Kyoto was left in ruins by a severe earthquake measuring magnitude
8.2 last night. The quake ripped apart most of downtown New Kyoto, where tens of
thousands are still missing in the rubble of high-rise apartments.
The quake struck at 11:37 P.M., while many residents were sleeping. In the eastern
half of the city, more than twenty square blocks have been reduced to rubble. In other
parts of the city, gaping rifts remain in the streets and shattered foundations of
buildings.
Government buildings were also leveled, and the fate of many planetary leaders and
officials is unknown. Minister of Agriculture Seiki Kubota is the highest-ranking
government official to have appeared after the collapse. Kubota was several thousand
kilometers away inspecting farms when news of the quake reached him. As the
highest-ranking leader currently available on Ozawa, Kubota has claimed emergency
powers. He has placed the city directly under planetary jurisdiction and declared
martial law over the entire province.
Many structures in outlying areas were also flattened by the tremor. Extensive damage
has been reported as much as 200 kilometers away in neighboring Raiden City.
Windows rattled and pipes burst in buildings nearly 500 kilometers away.
Rescuers have been at work all night in New Kyoto and its suburbs, as well as other
Ozawan cities affected by the quake. Concern about aftershocks has limited most
search attempts to aerial efforts, though some individuals are reported to have
proceeded into the affected areas in ’Mechs and on foot looking for survivors.
For twenty years scientists have warned New Kyoto residents that a quake was due.
Seismologist Petra Cosimov of the Ozawan Geological Survey Commission said, “We
knew New Kyoto was built on a major fault line. Buildings there were constructed to
high earthquake tolerances. But never in our wildest nightmares would we have
predicted a quake of this magnitude. No one could have predicted this. It’s horrible.”
In an official announcement, Prefect Katana Tormark said, “This is a terrible tragedy
for the citizens of New Kyoto. My sympathies, and the sympathies of The Republic,
go out to families who have lost loved ones. The Prefecture is pleased by Minister
Kubota’s quick thinking, and we pledge any aid needed during this time of trial.”
Prefect Tormark has been off planet, resolving issues connected to the shutting down
of a black-market ’Mech ring just beyond the borders of Prefecture III. She is
expected back on Ozawa shortly. Representatives of the Prefecture are expected to
survey the damage today or tomorrow.
A hotline has been set up for family members of quake victims. More information is
available at the ComStar Disaster Resource Center. Officials ask that only family
members call use hotline. Friends and other concerned citizens who want to donate or
volunteer are asked to send food, blankets, and money to the Interstellar Red Cross.
For more information, please contact your local chapter of the Interstellar Red Cross.
INN - Interstellar News Network
OZAWA—New Kyoto was left in ruins by a severe earthquake measuring magnitude
8.2 last night. The quake ripped apart most of downtown New Kyoto, where tens of
thousands are still missing in the rubble of high-rise apartments.
The quake struck at 11:37 P.M., while many residents were sleeping. In the eastern
half of the city, more than twenty square blocks have been reduced to rubble. In other
parts of the city, gaping rifts remain in the streets and shattered foundations of
buildings.
Government buildings were also leveled, and the fate of many planetary leaders and
officials is unknown. Minister of Agriculture Seiki Kubota is the highest-ranking
government official to have appeared after the collapse. Kubota was several thousand
kilometers away inspecting farms when news of the quake reached him. As the
highest-ranking leader currently available on Ozawa, Kubota has claimed emergency
powers. He has placed the city directly under planetary jurisdiction and declared
martial law over the entire province.
Many structures in outlying areas were also flattened by the tremor. Extensive damage
has been reported as much as 200 kilometers away in neighboring Raiden City.
Windows rattled and pipes burst in buildings nearly 500 kilometers away.
Rescuers have been at work all night in New Kyoto and its suburbs, as well as other
Ozawan cities affected by the quake. Concern about aftershocks has limited most
search attempts to aerial efforts, though some individuals are reported to have
proceeded into the affected areas in ’Mechs and on foot looking for survivors.
For twenty years scientists have warned New Kyoto residents that a quake was due.
Seismologist Petra Cosimov of the Ozawan Geological Survey Commission said, “We
knew New Kyoto was built on a major fault line. Buildings there were constructed to
high earthquake tolerances. But never in our wildest nightmares would we have
predicted a quake of this magnitude. No one could have predicted this. It’s horrible.”
In an official announcement, Prefect Katana Tormark said, “This is a terrible tragedy
for the citizens of New Kyoto. My sympathies, and the sympathies of The Republic,
go out to families who have lost loved ones. The Prefecture is pleased by Minister
Kubota’s quick thinking, and we pledge any aid needed during this time of trial.”
Prefect Tormark has been off planet, resolving issues connected to the shutting down
of a black-market ’Mech ring just beyond the borders of Prefecture III. She is
expected back on Ozawa shortly. Representatives of the Prefecture are expected to
survey the damage today or tomorrow.
A hotline has been set up for family members of quake victims. More information is
available at the ComStar Disaster Resource Center. Officials ask that only family
members call use hotline. Friends and other concerned citizens who want to donate or
volunteer are asked to send food, blankets, and money to the Interstellar Red Cross.
For more information, please contact your local chapter of the Interstellar Red Cross.
