18 killed as strong quake hits Indonesia’s Aceh province

At least 18 people were killed and dozens feared trapped in rubble after a strong earthquake struck off Aceh province on Indonesia’s Sumatra island on Wednesday.

The shallow 6.5-magnitude quake hit just north of the small town of Reuleuet, the U.S. 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.

Mosques, homes and shops were flattened in the quake, with images from the worst-hit areas showing significant damage.

Local resident Hasbi Jaya, 37, said his family was asleep when the powerful quake struck.

The local disaster management agency said rescue efforts were under way to save those trapped beneath collapsed buildings.

Seismologists said the earthquake was felt across much of Aceh province, which was devastated by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

At least five aftershocks followed the quake, said Eridawati, local head of the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency.

The USGS upgraded the magnitude to 6.5 from an initial reading of 6.4 and issued a yellow alert for expected fatalities and damage.

In the coastal town of Sigli, people panicked and fled their houses to seek shelter away from the sea.

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Source:The hindu