NANCY CHUNI, Kitwe
A TREMOR hit Kitwe on Sunday night causing panic among residents.
It was felt around 20:25 hours in all parts of Kitwe but did not leave any trail of destruction.
The tremor is believed to have also hit Luapula, Muchinga and Northern provinces.
The Geological Survey department confirmed the 5.3 magnitude, 10 kilometre depth tremor that happened at about 20:25 hours on Sunday.
Geological survey department director Chipilauka Mukofu said in Lusaka that there has not been any report of adverse effect caused by the tremor but the department is monitoring the situation and still investigating.
“It is quite high but a well-constructed structure can survive,” he said, adding that apart from Samfya, Kawambwa, Mansa and Kasama are some of the towns that should have felt the effects of the tremor.
Some Copperbelt towns also felt the effects of the tremor.
Some Mindolo residents left their homes in search of safety but the situation was worse outside their houses.
John Bwalya, a resident of Mindolo, said he felt as if the world was coming to an end.
Mr Bwalya said he was grateful to God that none of the houses was damaged.
“The whole thing was scaring. I felt like the world was coming to an end,” said the visibly-shaken Mr Bwalya.
Naomi Mulenga also ran away from her house, which she thought was going to collapse because of the severity of the tremor.