Avalanches and landslides are hampering relief operations for earthquake victims. Thousands of homes and buildings damaged. In some areas the population has slept outdoors, given the multiple aftershocks. Six children killed, 14 others still trapped, in the collapse of a mosque. Interruptions in electricity supply.

Jakarta (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The official death toll of the 6.1 magnitude earthquake that struck yesterday the Indonesian province of Aceh, on the western tip of the island of Sumatra is of 22 dead, and caused severe damage to buildings and landslides. More than 200 people are wounded, some in serious condition; civil protection teams rescue operations are still in progress, although hopes of finding more people alive in the rubble are fading with the passing of time.

The epicenter of the earthquake was the inner mountainous area of ​​Aceh province, at a depth of 10 km underground. The quake lasted for at least 15 seconds and was felt from the capital Banda Aceh to Bener Mariah, causing panic in an area already battered by the devastating tsunami of December 2004. In the regency at least 300 people slept outside, because of the many aftershocks - some of which were very strong - which followed the main quake.

According to witnesses the collapse of a mosque in Central Aceh has killed at least six children, while another 14 are still trapped under rubble. Thousands of private homes and public buildings have been affected by the quake, in one of the most earthquake prone countries in the world.

The authorities have ordered the deployment of soldiers and army vehicles to help with emergency operations. However, in some areas access is almost impossible due to mudslides and landslides that have disrupted communication lines. Communication and electricity supplies are also down and in many areas it is not known when they will be restored.

The Indonesian archipelago is made up of thousands of islands and atolls surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, in an area known by scientists as the "Ring of Fire". It is characterized by intense volcanic and seismic activity, caused by the collision of several continental plates. Memories of the devastating earthquake and subsequent tsunami that hit the region in December 2004 are still alive in peoples minds, with an epicenter off the coast of Aceh, causing hundreds of thousands of victims throughout Asia. On 30 October 2009, another strong earthquake affected the area of ​​Padang resulting in about 700 deaths. Over 180 houses were razed to the ground.

 

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• aceh
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