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Four days after southern China earthquake, death toll rises to 615 with 114 others missing

August 7, 2014 THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

BEIJING – The death toll from a powerful earthquake that hit southern China four days ago rose to 615 on Thursday, with 114 other people missing, China’s official news agency reported. A total of 3,143 people were known to have

News CatastrophesInsuranceMarkets / Coverages

Canterbury earthquake claims payouts pass $12 billion

August 6, 2014 by Canadian Underwriter

Insurance payouts for claims from the 2010 Canterbury earthquake have topped $12 billion, the Insurance Council of New Zealand reported Wednesday. As of the end of June 2014, private insurers had paid out $7.7 billion in commercial claims and $4.4

News CatastrophesInsurance

Local emergency declared as investigation begins into B.C. mine failure

August 6, 2014 Dene Moore, THE CANADIAN PRESS

LIKELY, B.C. – The president of Imperial Metals has apologized to residents living downstream from a toxic flood from one of the company’s gold and copper mines in the British Columbia Interior. Brian Kynoch told about 200 residents of Likely,

News CatastrophesInsuranceMergers and Aqcuisitions

Strong, shallow undersea earthquake hits off eastern Indonesia; no injuries reported

August 6, 2014 THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

JAKARTA, Indonesia – A strong, shallow earthquake shook the seas off eastern Indonesia on Wednesday, but did not cause major damage. The U.S. Geological Survey said the magnitude-6.1 quake occurred at a depth of 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) and was

News CatastrophesInsurance

Death toll from strong earthquake in southern China rises to 398, with more than 1,800 injured

August 5, 2014 Christopher Bodeen, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

KUNMING, China – Rescuers dug through shattered homes Monday looking for survivors of a strong earthquake in southern China’s Yunnan province as the death toll rose to at least 398 people, with more than 1,800 injured. About 12,000 homes collapsed

News CatastrophesInsuranceMergers and Aqcuisitions

Earthquake hits South Africa, 1 killed; buildings shake in Johannesburg and surrounding areas

August 5, 2014 Christopher Torchia, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – An earthquake shook buildings in Johannesburg and surrounding areas in South Africa’s most populous province on Tuesday. At least one person was killed and three were injured, medical staff said. The magnitude-5.3 quake was centred in

News CatastrophesInsuranceMergers and Aqcuisitions

Taiwan gas pipeline blasts kill 25, injure 267, leaving gouged streets filled with debris

August 1, 2014 Gladys Tsai, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan – Heavy machinery pulled vehicles from huge trenches gouged by explosions along an underground pipeline in Taiwan’s second-largest city that killed at least 25 people and injured 267. The series of five explosions from about midnight Thursday to

News CatastrophesInsurance

Earthquake leaves 6 dead, 420 injured in Algeria

August 1, 2014 THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

ALGIERS, Algeria – Algerian officials say six people are dead and 420 injured following an earthquake that shook Algiers Friday morning. Algeria’s health ministry says four of the victims died after jumping from windows in panic. Authorities say two more

Alex Vinden, Associate, Giffin Koerth
Feature Catastrophes

Lessons from a Disaster Zone

August 1, 2014 Alex Vinden, Associate, Giffin Koerth

Lessons learned on the ground from the EF2-rated tornado that touched down in Essa Township June 17 could prove of value to communities, responding agencies and insurers in future disasters.

News CatastrophesInsuranceLegal

Judicial panel says utility’s former execs deserve criminal charges in Fukushima nuke crisis

July 31, 2014 Mari Yamaguchi, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

TOKYO – A Japanese judicial panel has recommended that three former executives of the utility that operates the damaged Fukushima nuclear plant face criminal charges over their role in the disaster. A document released by the panel on Thursday showed

News CatastrophesInsuranceMergers and Aqcuisitions

Hundreds of damage claims possible after pipe break dumps 20 million gallons of water

July 31, 2014 Brian Melley and Michael R. Blood, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

LOS ANGELES – Hundreds of cars submerged below murky water. A landmark basketball court, newly refurbished, showing signs of buckling. Soaked and stained carpets. An athletic track coated in mud. The cost of the damage hasn’t been pegged from the

News CatastrophesInsuranceMergers and Aqcuisitions

Strong earthquake shakes Mexico’s Gulf coast; no immediate reports of damage

July 29, 2014 THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

VERACRUZ, Mexico – A strong earthquake shook much of eastern Mexico on Tuesday, but there were no reports of damage or injury. The U.S. Geological Survey said the magnitude-6.3 quake was centred in the Gulf coast state of Veracruz, about