WORLD State in second tremor

SOUTHERN California was hit by its largest earthquake in two decades on Friday, a 7.1magnitude tremor that rattled residents who were already reeling from another strong quake a day earlier.

Emergency workers and security forces were being dispatched early on Saturday to the epicentre of the shallow earthquake in a remote and sparsely populated area about 240km northeast of Los Angeles, where it was also felt.

No deaths or serious injuries had been reported but there were reports of building collapses and power outages in the town of Trona, California Office of Emergency Services director Mark Ghilarducci said. There were “significant reports” of fires caused by gas leaks, as well as breaks to power, water and communications lines in the region, he said.

California Governor Gavin Newsom said he had requested emergency federal assistance from the White House, and state resources have been activated at their “highest level”.

Mr Newsom later declared a state of emergency for San Bernardino County, expanding on an earlier announcement covering Kern County, near the epicentre of both the quakes last week.

A joint task force including about 200 security personnel as well as helicopters and cargo aircraft was being deployed, National Guard Major General David Baldwin said.

San Bernardino fire department spokesman Jeremy Kern said there were “no active searches ongoing” for trapped casualties. The quake was 11 times stronger than the 6.4magnitude quake “foreshock” the previous day, according to the US Geological Survey.