Sunset Shock

On their fertile plateau, 930 feet above the Mediterranean, the Moslem citizens of El Marj (pop. 13,000) welcomed the sunset one day last week. It brought to an end another day-long fast imposed by the holy month of Ramadan. Families gathered at table to break their fast with the traditional Ramadan dinner--and many died where they were sitting, for sunset brought the shock and terror of the worst earthquake in Libyan history.

For 15 seconds the earth shook, crumbling houses and shops into rubble. Some survivors wandered in the streets, wailing in anguish as they searched for relatives and friends. Others huddled dazedly over fires in the open fields. A driving rain and heavy winds made the night miserable, and morning brought two more earth tremors. El Marj had lived through bombing and battles during World War II as British and Axis forces took and retook the town. But the quake flattened El Marj as war never did. Rescue workers said that not a single house remained habitable, and the Libyan Red Crescent appealed for help to the International Red Cross.

The U.S. Air Force rushed paramedics and tents from Wheelus airbase at Tripoli, and the British ferried in doctors and nurses from their base at nearby Benghazi. At week's end more than 200 bodies had been recovered and an estimated 300-500 still lay buried in the ruins.

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.