After the earthquake, rescuers began digging through the debris in search of survivors. Everything was covered by dust and debris.
Recent Examples on the WebSome victims were hit by the vehicle, while others were hit by debris that went flying due to the collision, per the reports. Abigail Adams, Peoplemag, 16 Sep. 2022 An unspecified number of people were injured by debris and falling structures. Harold Maass, The Week, 12 Sep. 2022 Over the summer, flash floods also buried cars in debris in Death Valley National Park, along the California-Nevada border, and twice filled roads with water on and near the Las Vegas Strip. Joseph Pisani, WSJ, 17 Aug. 2022 It’s these similarities which scientists believe provide proof the birth of the Moon was fueled by debris from Earth. Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 14 Aug. 2022 Showers and thunderstorms are expected, and excessive runoff may result in debris flows on burn scars and flooding in slot canyons, normally dry washes, slickrock areas and other low-lying, flood-prone locations. Scott D. Pierce, The Salt Lake Tribune, 11 Aug. 2022 The Dungeness Spit Trail features the country’s longest natural sandspit, a stretch created as tide movements funnel in debris. Stephanie Vermillion, Outside Online, 8 Aug. 2022 Save the Children helped create the library at Robinson, but now, it's completely covered in debris from flooding. Rae Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 8 Aug. 2022 More than 2,200 people died, and a thriving coal-and-steel town was submerged in muddy debris because wealthy industrialists had neglected a dam. Glenn Rifkin, Washington Post, 8 Aug. 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
French débris, from Middle French, from debriser to break to pieces, from Old French debrisier, from de- + brisier to break, of Celtic origin; akin to Old Irish brisid he breaks; perhaps akin to Latin fricare to rub — more at friction