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Deadly earthquake hits Indonesia Deadly earthquake hits Indonesia
(30 minutes later)
A powerful earthquake has struck the Indonesian island of Sumatra, killing at least 30 people and flattening hundreds of buildings.A powerful earthquake has struck the Indonesian island of Sumatra, killing at least 30 people and flattening hundreds of buildings.
The US Geological Survey said the quake had a magnitude of 6.3, and was centred near the town of Padang.The US Geological Survey said the quake had a magnitude of 6.3, and was centred near the town of Padang.
There are fears the death toll may be higher, and one official told the BBC that 59 people had been killed.There are fears the death toll may be higher, and one official told the BBC that 59 people had been killed.
The quake struck at 1049 local time (0349 GMT), causing panic among residents in western Sumatra.The quake struck at 1049 local time (0349 GMT), causing panic among residents in western Sumatra.
Rescue workers confirmed that hundreds of buildings had collapsed, although the BBC's Lucy Williamson in Jakarta says many of these are likely to be small, wooden houses.Rescue workers confirmed that hundreds of buildings had collapsed, although the BBC's Lucy Williamson in Jakarta says many of these are likely to be small, wooden houses.
Telephone and power lines have also been knocked down, cutting electricity to the capital of West Sumatra, Padang.Telephone and power lines have also been knocked down, cutting electricity to the capital of West Sumatra, Padang.
AftershockAftershock
Emergency teams are searching at least three towns near the epicentre that are known to have been hit, assessing the damage and trying to count the number of people killed.Emergency teams are searching at least three towns near the epicentre that are known to have been hit, assessing the damage and trying to count the number of people killed.
The vice-governor of West Sumatra told the BBC that 59 people had been killed.The vice-governor of West Sumatra told the BBC that 59 people had been killed.
Local TV station SCTV reported that 26 people had been killed. Other provincial officials said 18 people had been killed in the town of Solok while 16 were killed in Tanah Datar.
Among the dead were several children and at least one teacher, reported killed in the towns of Solok and Batusangkar when school buildings collapsed. Among the dead were several children and at least one teacher, reported killed in Solok and Batusangkar when school buildings collapsed.
Hospitals have been overwhelmed with wounded and officials have appealed for medicine and communications equipment.
RECENT INDONESIAN QUAKES 6 March 2007: Magnitude 6.3 quake hits Sumatra, at least nine dead18 December 2006: Mag 5.7 quake hits Sumatra, seven dead17 July 2006: Tsunami from Mag 7.7 quake off Java kills 50027 May 2006: Mag 6.2 quake near Yogyakarta kills 5,00026 December 2004: Tsunami from Mag 9.1 quake off Sumatra kills 130,000RECENT INDONESIAN QUAKES 6 March 2007: Magnitude 6.3 quake hits Sumatra, at least nine dead18 December 2006: Mag 5.7 quake hits Sumatra, seven dead17 July 2006: Tsunami from Mag 7.7 quake off Java kills 50027 May 2006: Mag 6.2 quake near Yogyakarta kills 5,00026 December 2004: Tsunami from Mag 9.1 quake off Sumatra kills 130,000
Indonesian television pictures showed pictures of panic and confusion at hospitals in the region as people rushed for treatment. The mayor of Solok, Samsurahim, said three people had been killed in a fire at a school in his town after the earthquake.
The mayor of Solok, Samsurahim, told ElShinta radio that 13 people had been killed in his town, including three in a fire at a school after the earthquake.
He said hundreds of people had been injured, mostly with broken bones and cuts.He said hundreds of people had been injured, mostly with broken bones and cuts.
"We have asked for medical help... our facilities here are insufficient"."We have asked for medical help... our facilities here are insufficient".
Indonesian television showed pictures of panic and confusion at one hospital as patients and staff rushed outside, fearing the building would collapse.
Residents of some coastal areas fled to higher ground, but local officials said there was no risk of a tsunami as the earthquake happened under land rather than under the sea.Residents of some coastal areas fled to higher ground, but local officials said there was no risk of a tsunami as the earthquake happened under land rather than under the sea.
The quake was also felt in western coastal areas of Malaysia, and several tall buildings in Singapore's business district swayed slightly due to the tremor.The quake was also felt in western coastal areas of Malaysia, and several tall buildings in Singapore's business district swayed slightly due to the tremor.
Traders said there was no impact on financial trading.Traders said there was no impact on financial trading.
A second tremor of magnitude 6.0 struck West Sumatra two hours later, said the US Geological Survey.A second tremor of magnitude 6.0 struck West Sumatra two hours later, said the US Geological Survey.
Indonesia sits on the seismically active Pacific Ring of Fire, and experiences frequent earthquakes - as well as tsunamis triggered by underwater earthquakes.Indonesia sits on the seismically active Pacific Ring of Fire, and experiences frequent earthquakes - as well as tsunamis triggered by underwater earthquakes.
Last year, more than 500 people died when a tsunami hit an area of the Java coast after an undersea earthquake.Last year, more than 500 people died when a tsunami hit an area of the Java coast after an undersea earthquake.
And in the Asian tsunami of December 2004, over 130,000 people died in Sumatra when waves destroyed swathes of the province of Aceh.And in the Asian tsunami of December 2004, over 130,000 people died in Sumatra when waves destroyed swathes of the province of Aceh.

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