Deadly quake leaves hundreds injured
JAKARTA: A 6.2magnitude earthquake on Indonesia's Sulawesi island killed at least 35 people and injured hundreds yesterday and the meteorological agency warned of aftershocks, possibly strong enough to trigger a tsunami.
The powerful quake struck 6km northeast of the town of
Majene, at the relatively shallow depth of 10km, just before 1.30am (7.30am NZT), sending thousands of frightened residents and fleeing for higher ground.
The quake and aftershocks damaged more than 300 homes and two hotels, as well as flattening a hospital and the office of a regional governor, where authorities said several people had been trapped under the rubble.
Darno Majid, chief of the disaster agency in West Sulawesi, said 35 people had been killed in Majene and in Mamuju. More deaths were likely to be confirmed as rescue workers fanned out.
The heightened seismic activity set off three landslips, cut electricity supplies, and damaged bridges. .
The national disaster mitigation agency said 637 people had been injured in Majene and 24 in Mamuju. — Reuters