A 5.3 magnitude earthquake struck parts of South Africa south of the commercial capital Johannesburg on Tuesday, the United States Geological Survey reported.
The earthquake was centred six kilometres (3.7 miles) east of Orkney, which is 180 kilometres (112 miles) south of Johannesburg, at 10:22 GMT.
More than half an hour after it struck, no reports of casualties had been received by one of the country’s largest emergency services ER24.
The tremor was also felt in neighbouring countries of Botswana and Mozambique.
ENCA reports that a building in Orkney had collapsed and one man had lost his life.
AngloGold Ashanti had sent a team underground to inspect the well-being of their miners.
Please report any injuries to 084124. ER24 is on high alert.
EARTHQUAKES FELT IN SA IN THE LAST TWO YEARS: [Source: http://earthquaketrack.com/p/south-africa/recent]
Some of the rubble from the #earthquake in Orkney,unconfirmed amount of casualties so far @ER24EMS @FatalMoves pic.twitter.com/VSDoV4l16X
— ER24Carletonville (@ER24Ctonville) August 5, 2014
According to the US Geological Society, of all earthquakes measured in the past 24 hours, South Africa’s measures the highest.
The Orkney Emergency Medical Services (EMS) department says it is checking buildings in the area for structural damage following the earthquake.
EMS spokesperson in Orkney, Tommy Deysel, has reported however, that the situation in the area is under control.
Speaking to eNCA, Deysel has encouraged any people who need help to “come straight to the fire department.”
Deysel added that the fire department building has “some minor damage”, but is structurally sound.
He said the town has requested assistance from provincial traffic and housing authorities to help in Orkney.
Deysel added that the Potchefstroom municipality has also been asked for assistance.
The EMS department would also be in contact with mines in the area to confirm whether any workers have been affected underground, Deysel said.
The Sapa newswire service reported that some mineworkers were trapped underground in Orkney, but eNCA could not immediately confirm this.
