Meteorite hits central Russia, hundreds injured

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More than 500 people were reportedly injured on Friday when a meteorite shot across the sky and exploded over central Russia. Debris from the explosion fell from the sky, damaging windows and buildings.

Meteorite hits central Russia, more than 500 people hurt
Natalia Shurmina and Andrey Kuzmin, Reuters
9:39 a.m. EST, February 15, 2013

CHELYABINSK, Russia – More than 500 people were injured when a meteorite shot across the sky and exploded over central Russia on Friday, sending fireballs crashing to Earth, shattering windows and damaging buildings.

People heading to work in Chelyabinsk heard what sounded like an explosion, saw a bright light and then felt a shockwave according to a Reuters correspondent in the industrial city 950 miles east of Moscow.

A fireball blazed across the horizon, leaving a long white trail in its wake which could be seen as far as 125 miles away in Yekaterinburg. Car alarms went off, windows shattered and mobile phone networks were interrupted.

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