Second Earthquake in Sumatra
The US Geological Survey says another earthquake, measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale, has hit the Indonesian island of Sumatra.
The quake comes less than a day after a 7.6 magnitude quake in the same area, which killed hundreds of people and destroyed large parts of the region’s capital Padang.
Indonesian officials now say they fear the death toll from the first earthquake last night could soar into the thousands.
In the daylight hours, after a night of fires, rain and no power or communications with the outside world, the people of Padang and other areas in Sumatra are taking in the full the extent the destruction caused by yesterday’s massive quake.
The first outside military and police assistance has arrived this morning to support the rescue efforts by overwhelmed workers on the ground.
At least one hospital has collapsed, forcing surviving patients into the street and schools and other commercial buildings have also come down.
Houses have also been destroyed in Pariaman, north of Padang, and inland landslides have buried more dwellings and cut off roads making it difficult for much-needed heavy machinery to reach affected areas.
Tags: earthquake, second, second earthquake in sumatra, sumatra
Posted in General
No Comments