M A I N   N E W S

2 quakes kill 82 in Indonesia

Jakarta, March 6
Panic-stricken people on Indonesia’s Sumatra island ran from homes, hospitals and schools as a strong earthquake struck today, killing at least 82 and destroying buildings, trapping many under rubble.

Television images showed collapsed homes and offices, with others still standing but scarred by giant cracks and listing precipitously.

The injured crowded under tents set up on hospital grounds, lying on mats and fanning themselves against the heat. Hospitals in the disaster zone were already working at full capacity, rescue coordinators said.

The 6.3-magnitude quake struck at 10:49 am (09.19 am IST), the US geological survey said, 49 km northeast of Padang, capital of West Sumatra. An almost equally strong aftershock appeared to hit later.

Tanah Datar, Solok and Padang were among the worst hit areas in Sumatra.

At least 82 persons were killed by the quake, said a spokesman for UNICEF.

Sudi Silalahi, a spokesman for President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, had earlier said at least 70 persons were reported dead and scores injured.

The toll could rise as officials said communication was cut off close to the epicentre of the quake, leaving no immediate way of knowing the extent of the damage there. Hundreds of police personnel were rushing to the area.

Solok’s mayor said several houses had collapsed and that a school had burned to the ground, adding that dozens of people were injured, some with open, bleeding wounds. A police chief said there were reports of many trapped under rubble in the area. — AFP