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Indonesia quake toll set to rise Indonesia quake toll set to rise
(29 minutes later)
The toll from a powerful 7.0-magnitude earthquake in Indonesia is expected to rise as rescuers search through collapsed buildings, officials say.The toll from a powerful 7.0-magnitude earthquake in Indonesia is expected to rise as rescuers search through collapsed buildings, officials say.
At least 44 people are confirmed dead and thousands of homes flattened after the quake hit on Wednesday afternoon.At least 44 people are confirmed dead and thousands of homes flattened after the quake hit on Wednesday afternoon.
More than 300 people have been injured and dozens are still missing.More than 300 people have been injured and dozens are still missing.
Indonesian officials say heavy rescue equipment has arrived in the Javanese city of Cianjur, where many people are feared buried by a landslide.Indonesian officials say heavy rescue equipment has arrived in the Javanese city of Cianjur, where many people are feared buried by a landslide.
Thousands of buildings have collapsed in Cianjur, about 100km south of Jakarta, and the nearby town of Tasikmalaya. Desperate search
"We are still searching for the survivors who might be buried under their houses or buildings," disaster management agency staff Maman Susanto told AFP news agency. Thousands of buildings have collapsed in Cianjur, about 100km (62 miles) south of Jakarta, and the nearby town of Tasikmalaya.
Priyadi Kardono, spokesman for the National Disaster Mitigation Agency, said the toll could "change significantly" given the scale of damage, reports Reuters news agency.
"We are still searching for the survivors who might be buried under their houses or buildings," another disaster management agency employee, Maman Susanto, told AFP news agency.
"About 18,000 houses and buildings have been damaged," he said."About 18,000 houses and buildings have been damaged," he said.
Fear and uncertainty Rescue efforts are being hampered as several roads in the area have been badly damaged, the BBC's Karishma Vaswani reports from the area.
Indonesia is no stranger to earthquakes, but the emergency services are very ill-equipped to deal with disasters of this sort, the BBC's Karishma Vaswani reports from the area. As a result, heavy digging equipment has not reached the hardest-hit villages, she adds.
Police, military personnel and villagers are using their bare hands to try to reach survivors buried in the rubble.
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is due to visit the area later on Thursday.
Communications links to settlements on the south coast were broken by the quake, so the extent of damage and casualties is not yet known.Communications links to settlements on the south coast were broken by the quake, so the extent of damage and casualties is not yet known.
About 5,000 people have reportedly sought shelter in makeshift tents. Fear and uncertainty
In pictures: Indonesia earthquake 'The whole building was shaking'In pictures: Indonesia earthquake 'The whole building was shaking'
"They have taken refuge not only because their houses were ruined, but also because they fear there will be aftershocks," said local official Obar Sobarna. About 5,000 people have reportedly sought shelter in makeshift tents. "They have taken refuge not only because their houses were ruined, but also because they fear there will be aftershocks," said local official Obar Sobarna.
The quake epicentre was about 115km (70 miles) off the south coast of Java, near Tasikmalaya. The quake epicentre was about 115km off the south coast of Java, near Tasikmalaya.
Mudslides have inundated homes, collapsed rooftops and damaged properties in Tasikmalaya, including the mayor's home and a mosque.Mudslides have inundated homes, collapsed rooftops and damaged properties in Tasikmalaya, including the mayor's home and a mosque.
The tremors were felt in the capital, Jakarta, 200km to the north, where hundreds fled into the streets from offices and shops.The tremors were felt in the capital, Jakarta, 200km to the north, where hundreds fled into the streets from offices and shops.
A local tsunami alert was issued but revoked shortly afterwards.A local tsunami alert was issued but revoked shortly afterwards.
The quake was also felt 500km away from its epicentre in Surabaya, Indonesia's second-largest city, and on the resort island of Bali.The quake was also felt 500km away from its epicentre in Surabaya, Indonesia's second-largest city, and on the resort island of Bali.
In December 2004, an earthquake off the coast of Sumatra in Indonesia triggered a tsunami that killed more than 200,000 people around Asia.In December 2004, an earthquake off the coast of Sumatra in Indonesia triggered a tsunami that killed more than 200,000 people around Asia.
Our correspondent says memories of the 2004 disaster are still fresh in the minds of people.
She says the Indonesian government has implemented an early warning system for tsunamis since then, but it is not fully operational yet.
Indonesia sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the most active areas for earthquakes and volcanic activity in the world.Indonesia sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the most active areas for earthquakes and volcanic activity in the world.


Are you in or near Java? Did you feel the earthquake? Send us your stories using the form below.Are you in or near Java? Did you feel the earthquake? Send us your stories using the form below.
Send your pictures or video of the earthquake to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures or video of the earthquake to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.
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