6.5-magnitude quake hit Indonesia, at least 18 feared dead

TIL Desk/World/ Banda Aceh-At least 18 people died and dozens were feared trapped in rubble after a strong earthquake struck off Aceh province on Indonesia’s Sumatra island on Wednesday, officials said. “Eighteen have died so far, based on data from the hospital. Some of the fatalities are children,” Said Mulyadi, deputy district chief of Pidie Jaya, the region hit hardest by the quake, told.

The shallow 6.5-magnitude quake hit just north of the small town of Reuleuet, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said. There was no tsunami alert. The quake struck at dawn, as some in the predominantly Muslim region prepared for morning prayers, local officials said.

Mulyadi said seven children were among the dead, with a local hospital overwhelmed by the number of people arriving with injuries. “The hospital here couldn’t take the patients, so we sent some to the neighbouring district,” he said. Mosques, homes and shops were flattened in the quake, with images from the worst-hit areas showing significant damage.