Six die, dozens missing after strong quake

Six residents of Rawa Hideung village of Cianjur were found dead while dozen of others are still missing after a magnitude measuring 7. 3 on Ricther Scale shook West Java on Wednesday.

Antara state news agency has reported that as many as 12 families in Gunung Tujuh village were trapped when the quake took place.

“The village is surrounded by hills and mountains. When the quake rattles the area, it will bury residents living below the hills,” resident Agus Sobandi said.

He added that the village was occupied by 30 people and had 15 permanent buildings.

“We suspect more people were buried inside their houses. We are still trying to discover the victims,” he said, adding that they had kept the six dead bodies at Cikangkareng village hall.

Heri, a member of the regency's red cross team, said that the team was on its way to the affected area. (ewd)