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resident Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono spoke to victims of the 6.2-magnitude earthquake in Genting Bulen village, Ketol district, Central Aceh, on Tuesday.

The President and First Lady Ani Yudhoyono arrived in Ketol district '€” which along with neighboring Bener Meriah regency was the worse-affected by the July 2 quake '€” at about 10:15 a.m., Antara news agency reported.

The First Couple hugged a female victim whose husband and son were still missing after they were buried by landslide in Serampah village, Ketol district. The victim, Nuraini, 40, cried and pleaded for rescue workers to find her husband, Jali, and son, Ali Hasyimi.

Yudhoyono told all the victims to remain strong in the face of the largest earthquake to hit the archipelago after the Dec. 26, 2004 quake.

He said he had instructed the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the National Police (Polri) to continue the search for victims believed to have been buried by landslides.

The presidential entourage included Public Works Minister Djoko Kirmanto, Administrative Reforms Minister Azwar Abubakar, TNI chief Adm. Agus Suhartono and Polri chief Gen. Timur Pradopo.

Yudhoyono observed the condition of Serempah village, which had buried under meters of earth, from a military helicopter.

The latest data from the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) revealed that the earthquake killed 42 people and injured 2,617 others while six others still unaccounted for. Thirty-three people died in Central Aceh alone.