The mast that supported the antennas of Emmanuel Radio in Torit did not withstand the strong wind storm yesterday and collapsed bringing work at the station to a halt and the entire transmission off air.
A corner of the station building was hit by the falling tower but no other damage was caused by the five-minute cyclone, Emmanuel Radio reported.Emmanuel Radio director, Santino Lounoi, described the accident as a catastrophe.
Fr. Lounoi said it happened at a critical time when people relied on independent information about the referendum process.
He said he already consulted the administration of Sudan Catholic Radio Network and the Kenyan engineering company that built the structure to start repair works.
The mast was constructed in December 2008 with funds from Church in Need, an international Catholic aid foundation.