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World in brief
Compiled from Times wires Fire in Vietnam kills 54, injures more than 100HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam -- A huge fire in the heart of the city Tuesday afternoon, in a six-story building that included offices for foreign companies and a popular disco, trapped hundreds of people, killing at least 54 and injuring more than 100, officials said. Late at night, hours after the blaze was out, firefighters were still unable to go very far inside the hot and smoking building to recover what they said might be scores more bodies. The cause was under investigation. The dilapidated building known as the International Trade Center housed dozens of shops and about 50 offices. It is centrally located between the opera house and the central market. Local reporters said they suspected that the fire had started in the kitchen of the Blue Disco, the city's most popular nightspot of the moment, although the fire started long before the disco was scheduled to open for the evening. Libya sets Pan Am 103 termsWASHINGTON -- Libyan government lawyers have set conditions for compensating families of Pan Am 103 victims with $10-million each and for recovering the money if the terms are not met. Under the demand, the final $2-million would be paid only after the United States removes Libya from its list of countries that sponsor terrorism. The Libyan position was disclosed in a letter to the families from the New York law firm Kreindler & Kreindler, which represents them. Much of the letter reaffirms details of a Libyan offer that was announced in May. Libya is offering to pay $2.7-billion to the families of the 270 people who died in the bombing of Pan Am 103 over Scotland on Dec. 21, 1988. A Scottish court convicted a Libyan agent of participating in the bombing. The letter to the families reaffirms that Libya will pay immediately $4-million to each family once Libya has complied with U.N. requirements accepting responsibility for the bombing. Another $4-million would be released once Libya is in compliance with U.S. requirements. Finally, $2-million would be paid once the United States removes Libya from the terrorism list. Earthquakes rattle SicilyCATANIA, Sicily -- A series of earthquakes shook the Mount Etna area Tuesday, sending panicked residents of nearby towns into the streets two days after the volcano erupted. The Italian government declared a state of emergency for the volcano area, and the Defense Ministry sent in 1,000 soldiers. A ship equipped with a medical clinic was positioned off nearby Catania. Civil Defense headquarters in Rome said the largest earthquake had a preliminary reading of magnitude 4.4. Authorities evacuated about 1,000 people from homes near the volcano until buildings could be checked for structural damage. Residents took refuge in tents and hotels. The volcano erupted on Sunday, sending streams of lava down the mountain and causing ash to rain from the sky. The lava and ash activity was less intense Tuesday, but the airport in Catania, remained closed for a third day. Schools in Catania and nearby towns were closed.
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From the Times wire desk
From the AP |
