Saturday, May 27, 2006

Indonesian quake death toll rises

At least 2,900 people died in the powerful earthquake that rocked Central Java on Saturday.

Measured at magnitude 6.2, the quake in the early morning at 5:54 a.m. when most peole were still sleeping.

alt="A man collects items from his house in Yogyakarta after the earthquake on May 27.">
A man collects items from his house in Yogyakarta after the earthquake on May 27. Reuters photo from Yahoo News.

Many buildings collapsed particuarly in the Bantul district. Roads and bridges were destroyed and hospitals are crowded with casualties.

Volcanologists fear the quake might compromise the dome at the Mount Merapi volcano which is threatening to erupt.

The quake hit near the ancient ruins of Borobudur and Prambanan. The latter site, consisting of ancient Hindu temples, was said to have suffered damage but to what extent is not clear. It is not known if Borobudur, a Buddhist temple pyramid, was damaged by the quake.




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