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Quake hits Aceh, killing at least ten people
by Mathias Hariyadi
The quake hit the same region devastated in December 2004, causing great panic and considerable damages in North Sumatra. Fortunately, the epicentre of the 6.7 quake on the Richter scale was on land and did not trigger any tsunami.
Jakarta (AsiaNews) – An earthquake of 6.7 magnitude on the Richter scale hit the Indonesian province of Aceh early this morning, killing ten people. The epicentre was in Singkilbaru, about 78 km northwest of Kabanjahe, North Sumatra Province, about 100 km below the earth’s crust, too far from the sea to cause a tsunami.
The Indonesian Minister for Social Affairs Salim Segaf Al Jufrie confirmed the death of ten people but the final death toll is expected to rise when rescue teams reach remote areas.
The quake lasted about 30 seconds and was felt as far away as Subulussalam, Aceh, and Medan, as well as other smaller settlements.
The tremor knocked down the Subulussalam Midwives Academy and a nearby home, killing a 12-year-old boy who was inside.
The city of Aceh was devastated by a huge quake followed by a tsunami on 26 December 2004, causing tens of thousands of dead. Many more were displaced.
This morning’s quake caused widespread panic. Hundreds of people sought refuge in emergency shelters with many refusing to go home after the tremor, afraid that more intense aftershocks would follow.