A series of powerful earthquakes off the northern coast of West Papua in Indonesia has killed four people, injured several others and flattened buildings.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said a magnitude 7.6 quake occurred some 150 km (95 miles) northeast of Manokwari in the Indonesian half of the island of New Guinea, at a depth of 35 km (21.7 miles).

An official at Indonesia's meteorology agency said there were several quakes in the area during the night.

Rescue teams were still looking for people trapped under buildings.

Sonia Legg reports.

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