WORLD> Asia-Pacific
Indonesia quake death toll hits 44, likely to rise
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-09-03 09:26

Neighbours offer help  

Asian states offered to help deal with the quake aftermath.

"We've said to the Indonesian authorities we will work with them in terms of any assistance that we can provide," Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd told national radio.

Yukio Hatoyama, Japan's next prime minister after his Democratic Party of Japan's landslide election victory, said his government would provide help "regardless of any request.

"We need to make sure there are no delays in providing aid that we would normally be able to provide because of a policy vacuum."

The health ministry was sending medical teams to West Java. State news agency Antara said villagers were clearing rubble from wrecked buildings to dig out survivors and bodies.

Indonesia's 17,000 islands are scattered along a belt of volcanic and seismic activity known as the Pacific "ring of fire", one of the most quake-prone places on earth.

More than 170,000 Indonesians were killed or listed missing after a 9.15 magnitude earthquake off Indonesia's Aceh province on Sumatra triggered a tsunami in December 2004. A total of 230,000 people died in Indian Ocean countries.

Indonesia's seismology agency put the magnitude of Wednesday's quake at 7.3 with the epicentre 142 km (88 miles) southwest of Tasikmalaya, in West Java.

"Many houses are flattened to the ground," said Edi Sapuan in Margamukti village, near Tasikmalaya. "Only the wooden houses remain standing. Many villagers are injured, covered in blood."

Indonesia quake death toll hits 44, likely to rise

An injured girl sleeps in a makeshift tent set up by local medical team after an earthquake in Pangalengan, about 30 km from the city of Bandung, West Java September 3, 2009. A powerful earthquake killed at least 44 people and forced thousands to flee homes and offices in Indonesia on Wednesday, government agencies said. The 7.0 magnitude quake, recorded by the U.S. Geological Survey, shook buildings in the capital Jakarta and flattened homes in villages closer to the epicentre in West Java. [Agencies] 

"We ran as soon as the quake hit. Then five minutes later my house collapsed."

The quake was felt as far away as Surabaya, Indonesia's second city, 500 km (300 miles) northeast of Tasikmalaya, and on the resort island of Bali, about 700 km (420 miles) to the east.

At least 38 people were injured in Jakarta, the health ministry said. Buildings shook and residents said thousands of people poured into the streets from office and apartment blocks.

"The chandelier started moving and it started shaking really strong," said Victor Chan, who lives in a 34th floor flat. "It lasted quite long. I was really scared and rushed downstairs."