A powerful earthquake has rocked northern Indonesia leaving as many as 97 people dead and several hundred injured. The magnitude 6.5 quake struck off the coast of Sumatra Island in the early hours of Wednesday, where dozens of buildings have collapsed and many people are feared trapped under rubble. The US Geological Survey said the quake struck just offshore at 05:03 local time (22:03 GMT Tuesday) at a depth of 8km. A rescue operation is under way in the Aceh province and the casualty count is expected to increase. The national disaster management agency has ruled out the possibility of a tsunami. It also said that at least five aftershocks had followed the earthquake. RT reports: The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) confirmed that “several buildings” collapsed, including at least 10 shops and four houses in Pidie Jaya, which lies in the Aceh special region of Indonesia. Electric poles and a mosque in Bireuen district were also damaged, BNPB said. Abbas meanwhile noted that there is an urgent demand for excavation equipment and emergency supplies to help with the rescue effort. At least 10 dead after dozens of buildings collapse in 6.5 mag quake at Aceh#Indonesia #quake #Acehhttps://t.co/M1ZbYAcmlG pic.twitter.com/A4ZJ1XlBoO — GlobalMomentum [...]
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