By John Ikani
An earthquake that struck the western French town of La Laigne on Friday evening has resulted in the relocation of approximately 170 individuals.
The tremor, estimated to have a magnitude between 5.2 and 5.8, was felt across a wide area, reaching from Rennes in the north-west to Bordeaux in the south-west.
The seismic event caused significant damage to homes, schools, and churches, rendering hundreds of buildings uninhabitable.
It is noteworthy that earthquakes above magnitude five are uncommon in France, with the previous occurrence affecting the country in November 2019.
Following the tremor, two individuals sustained injuries in the town of Deux-Sevres.
However, it was the Charente-Maritime region just north of Bordeaux that bore the brunt of the earthquake’s impact.
Didier Marcaillou, the chief of the local fire service in La Laigne, expressed concern over the state of the church, describing it as “completely unusable.”
In addition, a top government official in the region highlighted the widespread impact on residential properties in the town center.
As a precautionary measure, Nicolas Basselier stated that the school would need to be closed.
One resident, Christine, emotionally recounted her ordeal to local station BFMTV, expressing her inability to continue living in her damaged home. “I wouldn’t wish this on anyone,” she said, noting that there was a large crack in her son’s room wall.
Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne characterized the earthquake as “unusual” and extended her solidarity to those who experienced worry or distress.
Ms. Borne assured that measures would be taken to ensure everyone has access to alternative housing.
Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin announced that the government would initiate an accelerated procedure to recognize the earthquake as a natural disaster.
The move aims to expedite the assessment of structural damage to buildings and facilitate the provision of necessary aid and support to affected areas.
