W. Sumatra quake death toll reaches 75: Official

Padang Mayor Fauzi Bahar said Wednesday at least 75 people had been killed during the 7.6-magnitude earthquake that rocked West Sumatera earlier in the afternoon.

Kompas.com reported the mayor had phoned Vice President Jusuf Kalla to inform him of the number during an emergency Cabinet meeting at Kalla's house in Central Jakarta this evening.

Fauzi also said local authorities had closed Minangkabau International Airport due to the incident.

Among the ministers at the meeting are Transportation Minister Jusman Sjafei Djamal, Coordinating Minister for the People’s Welfare Aburizal Bakrie, and Social Services Minister Bachtiar Chamsyah. (ewd)