On September 9, 1954, a powerful earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale hit Algeria, close to Orleansville, resulting in the death of 1,600 individuals. Additionally, another 5,000 suffered from serious injuries due to the strong tremor and the series of aftershocks that ensued.
The top-notch farmland in North Africa is found in the Cheliff River Valley. Orleansville, which serves as the hub of this area, has its roots tracing back to Roman times. In 1954, the bustling trade center was home to approximately 32,000 residents. With around 50 tremors occurring annually in the region, locals were accustomed to some level of seismic activity, yet they were ill-prepared for the colossal quake that struck at 1:07 AM. For a duration of about 12 to 15 seconds, the valley was violently shaken. Tragically, thirty construction workers, who were resting in a partially completed building, perished when the structure collapsed. The Cathedral of St. Peter was reduced to rubble, with only the steeple bell remaining.
A stadium, prison, hospital, and the army headquarters all succumbed to the quake’s force. The tremors were felt beyond the city limits. A nearby shepherd recounted that some of his sheep disappeared, swallowed by the earth itself. A ground rupture from the earthquake extended 24 miles north to Tenes along the Mediterranean coast.
Ten thousand individuals found themselves homeless as a result of the earthquake.
