were jolted from sleep Wednesday morning by a magnitude 6.1 aftershock
that sent people running into the street and sowed fresh fears eight
days after a catastrophic temblor.
There were no immediate reports of injuries, and it
was unclear what more damage was caused by the aftershock, which hit
just after
The new quake, about 6 miles deep, was the strongest of a series of aftershocks that have rattled
Wednesday morning’s aftershock sent people who were
indoors screaming outside, news reports said. Thousands of other people
have stayed outdoors since last week because their homes were ruined or
they have feared new temblors.
The new quake came as the U.S. military said it was devoting more resources to the relief effort.
Defense Secretary
today that he had signed orders to send a vessel equipped with cranes
that would be used to clear debris from the shuttered seaport, the
Associated Press reported.
The blockages prevent larger vessels from docking,
causing delays in shipments of food, water and supplies because they
must enter through the overtaxed airport or by land from the
The Pentagon also said the Comfort, a Navy hospital ship, had begun receiving patients as it steamed toward
“Supplies are beginning to get out to the people,”
Gates told reporters traveling with him, according to Reuters. He said
he hoped the presence of U.S. troops would prevent violence.
“There is a concern that if you are unable to get
significant supplies out that in their desperation people will turn to
crime and violence,” Gates said told. “We have not seen much of that
yet happily, and my hope is that as we get these trucks out on the
roads with supplies and people see patrols, that will prevent any
significant violence from taking place.”
The U.S. military has already mobilized more than
10,000 Marines, sailors and soldiers in a variety of roles: supplying
food, water and medical gear; treating patients; running the
—
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