'€œYesterday, I instructed the BNPB and relevant institutions to carry out rescue operations,'€ said the President via his Twitter account, @SBYudhoyono, in Jakarta on Wednesday, as quoted by Antara news agency.

Yudhoyono said according to the BNPB'€™s report, emergency relief for the victims and refugees had started to be distributed.

'€œOne Air Force helicopter initially dispatched to tackle haze extinguishing operations in Pekanbaru, Riau, has been diverted to work on emergency relief distribution for earthquake victims in Aceh,'€ Yudhoyono said.

He also offered his deep condolences for all victims and displaced residents, urging all parties to pray and help the victims.

'€œOur prayers go out to all Aceh people,'€ said the President.

A 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck Aceh at 2:37 p.m. local time on Tuesday, killing at least 22 people and injuring hundreds more.

The epicenter of the quake was located 35 kilometers southwest of Bener Meriah regency, at a depth of 10 kilometers.

The quake did not have the potential to cause a tsunami the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) in Banda Aceh said. (apt/ebf)

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