Landslides hamper Indonesia quake aid efforts
Source: Reuters
JAKARTA, Dec 19 (Reuters) - Indonesian relief workers struggled on Tuesday to reach parts of a remote area in Sumatra island after earthquakes destroyed hundreds of homes and killed at least four people. Eddy Sofyan, a spokesman for North Sumatra province, said a road connecting two villages in the Muarasipongi area remained impassable after Monday's quakes triggered landslides. "As a result, we cannot distribute food to the quake victims in the area," he said, adding that the falls had blocked about 25 km (16 miles) of road. Four people died in the quake and 680 houses were badly damaged, the official said. Some 230 families had fled their homes amid heavy rain and continuing aftershocks. Sofyan denied media reports that seven people had been killed, although he said there had been unconfirmed reports of three more bodies still in the ruins. People from 11 villages affected by the quake had sought shelter on soccer fields, or in local government offices and police buildings. The official said 25 tents had been sent to help provide shelter in Muarasipongi, 1,100 km (680 miles) northwest of the capital Jakarta, but driving rain was making conditions more difficult for the quake victims. The quakes, which struck early on Monday and were up to a magnitude of 5.8, were felt in Singapore, just across the Strait of Malacca on the other side of Sumatra island.
| AlertNet news is provided by |  |
