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New quake hits stricken Sumatra New quake hits stricken Sumatra
(22 minutes later)
An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 has hit Sumatra, a day after another powerful quake devastated much of the Indonesian island. An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 has hit Sumatra, a day after another powerful quake devastated parts of the Indonesian island.
Officials now say at least 200 bodies have been found from the earlier 7.6 magnitude quake, which triggered landslides and cut power lines.Officials now say at least 200 bodies have been found from the earlier 7.6 magnitude quake, which triggered landslides and cut power lines.
Hundreds of buildings, including hospitals, collapsed in Padang, the capital of West Sumatra province.Hundreds of buildings, including hospitals, collapsed in Padang, the capital of West Sumatra province.
Rescue workers said the number of dead is expected to rise significantly.Rescue workers said the number of dead is expected to rise significantly.
"Our prediction is that thousands have died," said Rustam Pakaya, head of the health ministry's disaster centre in Jakarta."Our prediction is that thousands have died," said Rustam Pakaya, head of the health ministry's disaster centre in Jakarta.
Heavy machineryHeavy machinery
The first earthquake struck at 1716 local time (1016 GMT) on Wednesday, some 85km (55 miles) under the sea, north-west of Padang, the US Geological Survey said.The first earthquake struck at 1716 local time (1016 GMT) on Wednesday, some 85km (55 miles) under the sea, north-west of Padang, the US Geological Survey said.
The second quake was on land and struck at 0852 local time (0152 GMT) on Thursday, about 225km south-east of Padang at a depth of about 25km.The second quake was on land and struck at 0852 local time (0152 GMT) on Thursday, about 225km south-east of Padang at a depth of about 25km.
In pictures: Sumatra earthquake In pictures: Sumatra earthquake class="" href="/2/hi/science/nature/8283873.stm">Quakes weaken faults
There were no immediate reports of damage from the second quake.There were no immediate reports of damage from the second quake.
A doctor working in Padang told the BBC the first quake could have left large numbers of people trapped under fallen buildings. Rescuers have been struggling in heavy rain to try to find survivors from the first quake who are buried under rubble in Padang.
"There's quite a few people that have died. At first I was thinking it was going to be in the hundreds but it's going to be in the thousands of people that have been crushed or trapped," he said. A doctor working in the city told the BBC: "There's quite a few people that have died. At first I was thinking it was going to be in the hundreds but it's going to be in the thousands of people that have been crushed or trapped."
Earlier Priyadi Kardono, a spokesman for Indonesia's National Disaster Agency, said some 100 to 200 people had died in Padang and more than 500 houses and buildings had collapsed. One resident of Padang, Siti, told Reuters news agency: "We need aid as soon as possible. We need food and medicine. Our houses have collapsed."
Earlier Priyadi Kardono, a spokesman for Indonesia's National Disaster Agency, said more than 500 houses and buildings had collapsed.
"Many people are staying outdoors and some people are staying in public facilities," he told Reuters."Many people are staying outdoors and some people are staying in public facilities," he told Reuters.
Mr Kardono told the AFP news agency about 150 military personnel, as well as police and health ministry workers, were in the affected area, but they urgently needed heavy machinery to lift the rubble. Mr Kardono said about 150 military personnel, as well as police and health ministry workers, were in the affected area, but they urgently needed heavy machinery to lift the rubble.
The quake brought down telephone lines, severely affecting communications with the region and making it difficult to assess the scale of the damage.The quake brought down telephone lines, severely affecting communications with the region and making it difficult to assess the scale of the damage.
The authorities said heavy rain was hampering the rescue attempt.
Speaking on Wednesday, Indonesia's President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said a coordinated relief effort was underway.Speaking on Wednesday, Indonesia's President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said a coordinated relief effort was underway.
He said military planes were flying medical equipment and personnel to the affected region.He said military planes were flying medical equipment and personnel to the affected region.
Burning buildingsBurning buildings
Witnesses to the first quake said residents ran out of buildings in Padang - which has a population of 900,000 - and surrounding cities.Witnesses to the first quake said residents ran out of buildings in Padang - which has a population of 900,000 - and surrounding cities.
MAJOR INDONESIAN QUAKES 26 Dec 2004: Asian tsunami kills 170,000 in Indonesia alone28 March 2005: About 1,300 killed after a magnitude 8.7 quake hits the coast of Sumatra27 May 2006: Quake hits ancient city of Yogyakarta, killing 5,00017 July 2006: A tsunami after a 7.7 magnitude quake in West Java province kills 550 people Animated guide: EarthquakesMAJOR INDONESIAN QUAKES 26 Dec 2004: Asian tsunami kills 170,000 in Indonesia alone28 March 2005: About 1,300 killed after a magnitude 8.7 quake hits the coast of Sumatra27 May 2006: Quake hits ancient city of Yogyakarta, killing 5,00017 July 2006: A tsunami after a 7.7 magnitude quake in West Java province kills 550 people Animated guide: Earthquakes
Jane Liddon, an Australian businesswoman in Padang, told Australian radio many large buildings in the town had been severely damaged.Jane Liddon, an Australian businesswoman in Padang, told Australian radio many large buildings in the town had been severely damaged.
"The concrete buildings are all down, the hospitals, the main markets, down and burned," she said."The concrete buildings are all down, the hospitals, the main markets, down and burned," she said.
"A lot of people died in there. A lot of places are burning.""A lot of people died in there. A lot of places are burning."
But Ms Liddon said many smaller residential properties had escaped the damage.But Ms Liddon said many smaller residential properties had escaped the damage.
Australia has offered to send emergency assistance to Indonesia if needed.Australia has offered to send emergency assistance to Indonesia if needed.
"They are very close friends and neighbours. They know that we are here and available to help. They just have to ask," said Aid Minister Bob McMullan."They are very close friends and neighbours. They know that we are here and available to help. They just have to ask," said Aid Minister Bob McMullan.
Indonesian officials have said the quake was one of the biggest in Indonesia in recent years and could have been more powerful than the 2006 Yogyakarta quake that killed more then 5,000 people.Indonesian officials have said the quake was one of the biggest in Indonesia in recent years and could have been more powerful than the 2006 Yogyakarta quake that killed more then 5,000 people.
Wednesday's quake was along the same fault line that spawned the 2004 Asian tsunami that killed more than 230,000 people in a dozen countries.Wednesday's quake was along the same fault line that spawned the 2004 Asian tsunami that killed more than 230,000 people in a dozen countries.
That much more powerful earthquake struck roughly 600km north-west of Padang.That much more powerful earthquake struck roughly 600km north-west of Padang.
Geologists have long warned that Padang could one day be completely destroyed by an earthquake because of its location.Geologists have long warned that Padang could one day be completely destroyed by an earthquake because of its location.
Western Sumatra is a mainly rural area with dense tropical forest.Western Sumatra is a mainly rural area with dense tropical forest.
It has several national parks and many of its beaches are popular with surfers.It has several national parks and many of its beaches are popular with surfers.
Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the earthquake? Send us your experiences using the form below:Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the earthquake? Send us your experiences using the form below:
Send your pictures and videos 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 and videos 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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