Magnitude-6.5 earthquake hits Indonesia's Aceh province killing nearly 100 people
Updated
Video: Locals in Indonesian Aceh province help to clean up rubble of collapsed buildings.
(ABC News)
Search and rescue efforts after an earthquake in Indonesia's Aceh province killed at least 97 people have been hampered by nightfall and poor weather conditions, officials said.
Key points:
- More than 100 buildings collapsed
- Earthquake lasted for about 15 seconds
- Worst-hit area was 120 kilometres south-east of Banda Aceh
The quake struck just before dawn in the regency of Pidie Jaya, about 120 kilometres south-east of the city of Banda Aceh.
"The search this night depends on the location and the weather conditions," a local official said.
The pre-dawn quake was felt for about 15 seconds and by the time it was over around 100 buildings had collapsed including 72 combined shops and dwellings, 15 houses, five mosques, a petrol station and a school.
Major General Tatang Suliaman told local media the toll had jumped to 97 after rescuers pulled more bodies from the rubble — the death toll had previously been reported as 54.
He said there could be four or five people still buried, but did not say whether they were alive.
"Hopefully we would be able to finish the evacuation from the rubble before sunset," he said.
The local hospital in Pidie Jaya was damaged, and survivors are being sent to Banda Aceh for treatment.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo said senior members of his staff would travel to the areas worst-hit by the quake.
"This morning I received a report about the earthquake and I've already ordered all agencies to take action according to their authority," he said.
"And soon the chief of presidential staff will be going there."
Regency head Aiyub Abbas said that heavy equipment had been brought into the area to help move the rubble to search for survivors.
"I'm told that most places in Pidie are impacted, most of the shops are collapsed, wiped out, mosques are completely down," he said.
Aftershocks hit region
"Those who died and were injured were trapped inside while they were sleeping.
"I need all kinds of help. Medical supplies are being handled by the regency and provincial government, what we need is long term funds from the central government for rebuilding."
Emergency services are still searching the damaged buildings for more victims and survivors.
The injuries have overwhelmed the local medical centres and survivors are being moved to hospitals in nearby cities.
The worst-hit area was about 120 kilometres south-east of Banda Aceh, the city devastated by the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami.
The United States Geological Survey said the quake struck at a depth of 17 kilometres on Aceh's north-eastern coast.
The Indonesian Red Cross said it expected more victims would be found throughout the day.
There was no tsunami, but a number of aftershocks are still affecting the area.
Reuters/AP
Topics: earthquake, indonesia
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