Hanoi (VNA) – Anearthquake measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale struck at dawn in Aceh province,north of Sumatra, leaving at least 20 people dead and dozens of others injured,said Indonesian authorities on December 7.
The earthquake occurred in themorning when people were preparing for morning prayers.
Apriadi Achmad, a localofficial, said the local government has mobilised heavy equipment and vehiclesto assist search and rescue efforts for more than 50 people.
Residents in the coastal townSigli were evacuated due to tsunami concerns.
An official from the Climatologicaland Geophysical Agency in Aceh said atleast five aftershocks happened a few hours after the earthquake.
Indonesia oftenexperiences earthquakes and volcanoes because it lies in the Pacific Ring ofFire.
In 2004, Acehsuffered severe consequences caused by the 9.2-Richter earthquake thattriggered a tsunami in the Indian Ocean.-VNA
