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On December 28, a 5.6 Richter scale earthquake caused damage (ranging from small cracks to total collapse) to over 35,000 homes (10,000 significant - over $1000), 147 schools (42 structural), 3,000 commercial and other buildings/structures (and numerous vehicles were also damaged by falling debris) in the Newcastle - Hunter region. Numerous buildings beyond the immediate region, as far away as Scone, Gladstone (near Kempsey) and Sydney also suffered minor damage bringing the estimated total to 50,000 buildings throughout central-eastern NSW. The shaking, although only lasting about 5 to 6 seconds, was felt (particularly in tall buildings) over 500km away. Very high uninsured infrastructure and commercial/industrial losses also resulted (eg to replace all damaged footpaths alone would have cost an estimated $27m).
The worst death toll and damage occurred at the Newcastle Workers Club, which was destroyed due to its location and building standards. Walls and multiple floors collapsed, sending 300 tonnes of concrete plummeting to the ground-floor car park, trapping several and killing 9 people dozens under the rubble. At the Kent Hotel in Beaument Street, Hamilton, another three died. Approximately 70,000 insurance claims (64,000 home/contents & 6,000 commercial) were paid in the months following the disaster.
If the earthquake had struck during the evening when 2ooo people were expected at a pop concert at the Workers Club, or if it had happened a month later when thousands of students had returned to school, a great many more deaths and injuries would have resulted. |
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