Rwanda Earthquake Kills At Least 21

A magnitude-5.0 earthquake struck southwestern Rwanda on Sunday, killing at least 21 people including some who were in church at the time, a government official said.

The quake hit the rural Rusizi District and rattled the capital, Kigali, some 125 miles away.

"At least 21 are dead," said Frank Mugambage, an official in the president's office.

Scores were believed to be injured, and rescuers were searching for victims, Mugambage said by telephone.

Police were sending rescue helicopters to the area in southwestern Rwanda, near the Congolese border.

The area is part of Africa's Great Rift Valley, which includes a seismically active fault line.

By Thomas Rippe