26 December 2012, 15:00
Residents of Abkhazia fear new tremors
Tonight, residents of Abkhazia felt two tremors. According to the State Committee for Ecology and Use of Nature, the maximum amplitude of the first shock was 5.2, and the second one was much weaker. However, people are afraid of a new earthquake.
The epicentre was located at a distance of about 40 kilometres from the sea coast; in the area between Abkhazia and Georgia, said the chairman of the above State Committee Roman Dbar. He has explained natural phenomenon by the fact that Abkhazia is situated on the seashore; and it has "relatively young mountains behind."
"These small tremors are releasing the strain in deep rock structures. It would be more terrible mot to have shocks at all for many years," said Mr Dbar.
Nevertheless, residents of the republic are frightened; many of them did not let their children today to schools and kindergartens. People believe that the earthquake may repeat, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports.
"When this night the first shock occurred, my friend and I moved into a private house, which is safer," Nelly, a resident of Sukhumi, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.
"Today, my son had a New Year party, but I was scared and did not take him there," said Inga Akaba.
Author: Anjela Kuchuberia Source: CK correspondent
