Earthquake shakes Algeria injures 15

[Pastor Dale Morgan]

* Great Earthquakes In Diverse Places

Earthquake shakes Algeria injures 15*

* Story Highlights
* Oran, the largest city in the region, received most of the impact
of the quake
* 5.5-magnitude earthquake's epicenter about 30 km north in the
Mediterranean Sea
* Several old homes in the downtown neighborhood of Gambeta were
destroyed

(CNN) -- A 5.5-magnitude earthquake shook northern Algeria on Friday,
knocking houses to the ground and injuring 15 people.

Oran, the largest city in the region, received most of the impact of the
quake, which had an epicenter about 30 km (18.6 miles) north in the
Mediterranean Sea. The quake hit at about 9 p.m. (4 p.m. ET).

Several old homes in the downtown neighborhood of Gambeta were destroyed
and 15 people were injured, according to a local government spokesman.

Residents fled their homes and mingled in the streets -- although many
simply went about their business because of the moderate strength of the
quake, the spokesman said.