Pidie Jaya (ANTARA News) - Some 25 people were killed and over 30 inhabitants were injured in an earthquake measuring 6.5 on the Richter Scale that hit Pidie Jaya District, Aceh Province, Wednesday.

Rescuers are continuing to look for more victims under the debris of buildings destroyed by the earthquake, Head of the Pidie Jaya Disaster Mitigation Office Puteh A Manaf said in the Pidie Jaya capital, Meureudu.

Many of the wounded victims, mostly suffering broken bones after being hit by collapsing buildings, were rushed to Pidie Jaya Public Hospital, and several others were taken to Sigli Public Hospital, located some 60 km from Pidie Jaya.

The authorities have been urged to deploy more heavy equipment to clear out the debris as several people are believed to be trapped under fallen buildings.

Pidie Jaya Hospital also needs more medicines and paramedics to help the injured victims.

A number of schools and shops were closed following the strong earthquake that damaged many buildings.
(Uu.F001/INE/KR-BSR)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2016