Deadly Earthquake Hits Indonesian Coast

A powerful earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia's Sumatra island Wednesday afternoon, killing at least 100 people and trapping thousands of people beneath flattened buildings. A complete death toll wasn't possible in the immediate aftermath but Indonesian officials indicated the toll could rise significantly.

The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.6, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, and hit offshore 30 miles from Padang, a city of about 750,000 on Sumatra's western coast. The quake was felt as far as Bangkok, about 1,000 miles away.

Vice President Jusuf Kalla, citing information from Padang's mayor, said thousands of people were likely trapped in the rubble. He said Wednesday evening that 75 people had been declared dead in hospitals in Padang. A national disaster agency official later said there were between 100 and 200 people dead and some 5,000 houses destroyed.

Many more people were suspected to have died in Pariaman, a rural town of about 80,000 people that was closest to the epicenter, north of Padang. Officials received reports of buildings destroyed in Pariaman, and road access to the town had been cut off by landslides triggered by the earthquake.

Most of the inhabitants of Pariaman make their living from agriculture or fishing. Like Padang, it is hemmed in by volcanic mountains on one side and the sea on the other. Mr. Kalla said the government will send four aircraft Thursday with 100 doctors, tents and medical supplies. Heavy rains and electricity blackouts in the area made it impossible to immediately send aid, he said.

Indonesian television reported the earthquake caused buildings and bridges to collapse in Padang, but the extent of the damage wasn't immediately clear. The main public hospital in Padang was destroyed in the quake, local media reported.

Indonesia's government is sending a floating navy hospital to moor off Padang to treat the wounded, but it could take three days before it is in place, Welfare Minister Aburizal Bakrie said Wednesday, according to local media reports. Mr. Bakrie told reporters the government was preparing 100 billion rupiah ($10.3 million) in emergency relief aid.

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