20 July 2007
Nairobi — Hundreds of families around Ol Doinyo Lengai volcanic mountain in Tanzania are spending nights in the cold following earthquakes that have hit the area.
On Thursday, the Tanzanian government declared the mountain of bounds for tourists.
Magadini location chief, Mr Mwasuni ole Finigi, said a number of schools, houses and roads had been destroyed by the tremors.
"I have lived here since I was born but I have never seen anything like this. It is as if the world is ending," Mr Finigi said.
The chief said the mountain has been spewing fire in the past nine days.
Mr Finigi said 765 families have been spending nights in the cold fearing their houses could crumble due to the tremors.
The tremors have also destroyed neighbouring hills in the area, interfered with the flow of rivers into Lake Natron, and forced some wild animals to migrate.
Tourist camps near the epicentre of tremors have been dismantled.
Tanzania's Lake Natron has been the epicentre of the seismic waves which have hit the northern part of the country and several areas in Kenya.
At least 15 tremors have been felt in Arusha, which is 100 kilometres from both Lake Natron and Ol Donyo Lengai.
The strongest one rocked the area on Tuesday evening and measured 6.0 on the Richter scale.
The Arusha regional police commander, Mr Matei Basilio, told reporters that no tourists would not be allowed to climb Ol Donyo Lengai mountain as they could be risking their lives.
In Kenya, the Meteorological Department confirmed 15 tremors have hit parts of the country since last week.
It said the last tremor, which measured 4.9 on the Richter scale, occurred on Wednesday at 8.25pm.
The Kenya Red Cross Society said Thursday it was on a high alert.
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