Tremors shake Mozambique, no injuries reported

MAPUTO, Mar 15 (Reuters) Two tremors shook central Mozambique today in what officials described as aftershocks of a powerful earthquake that killed four people in the southern African nation last month.

No deaths or injuries were reported from the tremors, which occurred about two hours apart in the central province of Manica, the same region that was hit by the Feb. 23 earthquake.

''What is happening is that with the February 23 earthquake there was a huge move of the tectonic plates, and these aftershocks will continue until the plates stabilise,'' Mineral Resources Minister Esperanca Bias said.

The first tremor on Wednesday measured 5.3 on the Richter scale and was followed by a second one measuring 5.6.

There was some panic in the cities of Manica and Beira, particularly among those living in high-rise buildings, but Bias said officials were not expecting casualties or damage.

In neighbouring Zimbabwe, witnesses reported slight and brief tremors in the capital Harare, but there were no immediate reports of casualties.

REUTERS SK RAI0116