News In Brief

Izvestia blasts builders of 'quake-proof' buildings

Supposedly quake-proof buildings in Soviet Central Asia that were devastated by a powerful earthquake two weeks ago were so badly built that most simply collapsed, the government daily Izvestia reported Saturday.

Izvestia strongly criticized the architects who designed the buildings for not taking into account the possibility that a strong quake would again hit Gazli, a small town in Soviet Uzbekistan that was hit March 19. The town have been virtually razed by a weaker quake in 1976.

The Soviet news media have reported more than 100 injured but have not mentioned any deaths. Press reports said much of the town had been destroyed and Soviet television showed ruined houses.