Rescue workers retrieved 24 bodies from the rubble of a giant landslide caused by Wednesday's quake. At least 57 people were reported missing at Cikangkareng village in the badly-hit regency of Cianjur, West Java, after 10 houses and a mosque were buried under tons of rocks and earth.

The West Java administration reported that at least 429 people were injured and 126,130 homes were destroyed or damaged by the 7.3-magnitude temblor.

The figures excluded at least 2,000 houses and 981 schools including 15 Islamic boarding schools and 2,110 mosques, which were reportedly flattened.

Rescue workers claimed that 30,000 refugees were in need of shelter after the quake, centered off Tasikmalaya, hit West Java.

The victims also complained about a lack of food supplies, as aid agencies were busy distributing tents, blankets and other basic provisions.

However, many refugees said they had not yet received any emergency aid.

“My house is located only 20 meters from the main road, why it is so hard for the government or other parties to channel their aid here as soon as possible?” asked Enok Hartati, 61, a resident of Pangalengan district, Bandung.

West Java Governor Ahmad Heryawan said the refugees whose houses had been slightly damaged could return home from their tents.  

He made the call after receiving a report from the Meteorology, Geophysics and Climatology Agency (BMKG) that aftershocks had receded.

“The frequency and strength of the aftershocks has continued to decrease, so the BMKG has allowed residents to return home,” he said.

People whose houses were severely damaged, the governor added, would receive better tents from his office.

In Kuningan, West Java, hundreds of quake victims were suffering from illnesses, including respiratory problems, coughs and influenza, at their shelters amid cold weather conditions and a lack of food supplies, local health officials said.

Meanwhile, the Bandung Health Agency has ensured that all earthquake victims in their area will receive free medical treatment in emergency medical centers until next month.

Agency head Ahmad Kustiadi said his office had deployed 34 doctors and 52 paramedics to more than a dozen districts that were the worst hit by the quake.

“We've prioritized sending more doctors to the districts that have the most victims, like Pangalengan and Kertasari,” he said.

West Java disaster task force secretary Sigit Ujwalprana said his office would deploy health and psychological experts to assist victims suffering from post-quake trauma. The US announced it would provide US$100,000 in early disaster recovery assistance for quake victims in Indonesia,

“The aid will be used to help deal with the extensive damage and casualties caused by the earthquake,” the US Embassy in Jakarta said in a press statement.

The Indonesian Red Cross said it would hold a meeting this Saturday in Bandung to coordinate further actions to help the victims.

Arifin Muh. Hadi, the Red Cross’ disaster mitigation division head, said Friday the meeting would involve representatives from 13 of the agency’s regional offices located in areas affected by the quake. The emergency period will last between one and two weeks, he said.

Those who wish to donate to quake victims can transfer money to the bank account of the Indonesian Red Cross: 0390 0100 0030 303 at BRI's Pancoran branch office.

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