Almost 1,000 people injured by meteor in Russia

on 15/02/2013 16:00:53

Nearly 1,000 people have been injured by a meteor that exploded in the sky over Russia's Ural mountains, blasting out countless windows.

Chelyabinsk health chief Marina Moskvicheva, said 985 people in her city had asked for medical assistance. Forty-three were taken to hospital.

The meteor - estimated to be about 10 tons - entered the Earth's atmosphere going at least 54,000 kph (33,000 mph). It shattered about 30-50 kilometres (18-32 miles) above the ground, releasing several kilotons of energy, the Russian Academy of Sciences said.

Amateur video broadcast on Russian television showed an object speeding across the sky just after sunrise, leaving a thick white contrail and an intense flash.