10,000 DEAD - EARTHQUAKE IN NICARAGUA - 23 DEC

THIS DAY IN HISTORY
23 December 2007

Earthquake in Nicaragua,

10 000 Dead

Rescue workers tried to clear the area and stop the spread of disease, secure food and water for hundreds of homeless.


In a strong two hour quake in Managua, the capital city of Nicaragua, around 10 thousand people died on December 23, 1972. The quake that measures 6.5 on the Richter scale causes fires that drove fear into the bones of the survivors. The rescue workers tried to stop the spread of disease such as typhoid, and tried to secure food and water for hundreds of people who had been left homeless because of the quake.

The city authorities decided to close access to the city until the area was thoroughly cleaned. Medical aid and medicine were needed more than ever. The neighbouring countries Mexico and the United States were ready to help. In a timeframe of 76 years, Managua was destroyed twice because of earthquakes, because it is located in such a geographical position. Besides earthquakes, Nicaragua was also hit by a poor economic situation.