Powerful earthquake kills at least 70 people in W.Indonesia
MIL/Agencies, Mar 6, 2007.
Padang, Indonesia , March 06, 2007 - A powerful earthquake has killed at least 70 people in western Indonesia on Tuesday. The number of dead was expected to rise as a result of the magnitude 6.3 quake on Sumatra island, which was followed by powerful aftershocks, according to reports.
The quake was felt hundreds of miles away in Singapore, where some office buildings were evacuated, and in neighboring Malaysia.
"Women were crying out in terror. We all just fled as quickly as we could," said Alpion, a welder in the seaside town of Padang. Along with thousands of others, he was fleeing to higher ground, fearing a possible tsunami. Authorities said the quake did not cause any tidal activity.
Indonesian Cabinet Secretary Sudi Silalahi told reporters at least 70 people had been killed by the quake.
Local government spokesman Hasrul Piliang said the number of dead "would likely rise" because tolls from remote areas were still being collected and there were reports of others trapped under debris.
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