Some 42% of students in Guadeloupe are educated in buildings meeting seismic standards according to the Antilles earthquake plan (PSA), indicate figures released Tuesday while the French Caribbean archipelago is frequently affected by earthquakes.
A total of “42% of students are secure“, indicated Olivier Kremer, head of the environment, planning and housing (Deal) department of Guadeloupe, during a seminar on the subject organized in Gosier.
“Our goal is to reach 54% of students in establishments that meet seismic standards“at the end of the 3rd phase of the earthquake plan which ends in 2027, he said.
The Antilles earthquake plan (PSA) was put in place in 2007 to bring priority public buildings, such as schools and healthcare establishments or social housing, into compliance with seismic standards. Established over 30 years, it was initially endowed with six billion euros.
According to Jocelyn Sapotille, the president of the association of mayors of Guadeloupe present at this seminar, “59% of social housing is now compliant”.
Guadeloupe is located in a very active seismic zone and regularly experiences slight earthquakes, more or less felt by the inhabitants.
In 2004, a 6.3 magnitude earthquake particularly affected the Saintes Islands, attached to Guadeloupe, killing a child and causing extensive damage. The last earthquake felt dates back to October 31: magnitude 4.5 on the Richter scale, it did not cause any damage.
