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Indonesia quake death toll hits 44, likely to rise

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-09-03 09:26

PANGALENGAN, Indonesia: The death toll from an earthquake that struck Indonesia, shattering rural homes and forcing terrified city residents into the street, stood at 44 and was likely to rise, government agencies said on Thursday.

The 7.0 magnitude quake shook buildings in the capital Jakarta on Wednesday afternoon and flattened homes in villages closer to the epicentre in West Java.

Villagers search a destroyed house after an earthquake in Puncak, West Java September 2, 2009. A powerful earthquake killed at least 44 people and forced thousands to evacuate on Indonesia's main island, where more than 1,300 homes were damaged, government agencies said. [Agencies]

Reuters reporters saw many damaged houses as well as makeshift tents and shelters on the streets and in fields.

"They have taken refuge not only because their houses were ruined, but also because they fear there will be aftershocks," said local official Obar Sobarna. About 5,000 people were taking refuge in the area, he added.

Indonesia's main power, oil and gas, steel, and mining companies with operations in West and Central Java island closest to the quake's epicentre said they had suffered no damage.

In Cikangkareng village, South Cianjur district, about 60 miles (100 km) south of Jakarta, the quake triggered a landslide, sending rocks cascading onto much of the village and its residents, indluding a mosque, a Reuters witness said.

Related readings:  Strong earthquake strikes Indonesia's Java island  6.4-magnitude earthquake jolts NW China  Strong earthquake rattles Taiwan  6.0 quake hits Java Island, no tsunami threat

"Many of our young were buried by the landslide. We need food, we don't have food," said Rohim, one of the villagers.

"I'm here because I'm afraid of possible aftershocks," said Kakom, a 65-year-old woman at an evacuation site.

At least 44 people were killed in West Java, and more than 18,000 houses as well as offices, mosques and other buildings were damaged, said Priyadi Kardono, spokesman for the National Disaster Mitigation Agency.

Forty-two people were listed as missing. Kardono said the toll could "change significantly" given the scale of damage. Some coastal areas were out of contact for several hours.

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