Number killed in Papua quake climbs to 17
Associated Press, Jakarta | Mon, 06/21/2010 5:02 PM
An Indonesian official says the number
of people killed when several strong earthquakes hit eastern
Indonesia last week has climbed to 17.
More than 4,600 others were left
homeless, with many still living in shelters.
A massive 7.0-magnitude tremor struck
beneath the ocean floor off the northern coast of Papua province last
Wednesday. It was followed by a series of strong aftershocks, the
highest measuring 6.4, adding to the widespread panic.
Priyadi Kardono, who is the spokesman
for the National Disaster Management Agency, said Monday that 13 of
the victims died when a landslide triggered by the quake buried their
van.
Indonesia straddles a series of fault
lines that make the vast island nation prone to earthquakes.
