Twelve people were hospitalized for injuries following an earthquake that rocked the Tunisian town of Kairouan, 150 kilometers south of Tunis, the official agency TAP reported Tuesday.
The residents, described by the agency as "in a state of shock," were injured when their houses collapsed on them or when they jumped out the window to escape.
The earthquake, which struck at around 2:20 a.m. (local time) caused a brief wave of panic as people rushed from their homes, residents told AFP by telephone.
The Kairouan governor arrived on the scene Tuesday to comfort residents, the Tunisian news agency added.
The national meteorological office said the quake measured 4.6 on the Richter scale. Kairouan, an important historic and religious center with 160,000 inhabitants, had not had an earthquake since 1969. (Albawaba.com)
