Indonesia Quake Death Toll Rises to 70

Mar 06, 07:28 AM

Current Headlines: The death toll from a powerful earthquake and its aftershocks that hit Indonesia's island of Sumatra rose to 70, with expectations of more victims being found.

Hundreds of buildings were flattened by the initial quake, which the U.S. Geological Survey said struck at 10:49 a.m. Tuesday and was centered near the western Sumatran town of Padang. The quake measured 6.3 on the Richter scale, and was followed two hours later by an aftershock measuring 6.0, the USGS said on its Web site.

In the town of Solok, emergency official Dalipa Marjusi told the Antara news agency a kindergarten and elementary school had collapsed and killed at least four children. He said he expected more bodies to be dug out of the rubble.

The Indonesian army evacuated towns near the epicenter, as electricity and communications were knocked out.

Meteorological officials said there was no fear of a tsunami, as the quake was centered under land, rather than the Indian Ocean.