blank

Voice of America ®

Trusted Source of News & Information since 1942

About VOA | Contact VOA News

  • Saturday, 21 November 2009
  • Latest News:

News RSS Feeds RSS Feed

Powerful Earthquakes Kill At Least 4 in Indonesia

Share This

A series of strong earthquakes struck eastern Indonesia's West Papua province early Sunday, killing at least four people, including a 10-year old girl, and injuring several others.

The U.S. Geological Survey says a magnitude 7.6 quake occurred about 150 kilometers northwest of the town of Manokwari, at a depth of 35 kilometers.

Indonesian authorities say a series of powerful aftershocks measuring as strong as 7.3 in magnitude followed the initial quake.  Reports from the region say the quakes left several buildings badly damaged and caused at least two buildings to collapse, including the Mutiara hotel in Manokwari.

Japan's Meteorological Agency says the initial quake also triggered a small tsunami that hit the Japanese coast.  Officials have not reported any damage.

Indonesia is located on a geological fault line circling the Pacific Basin, known as the Ring of Fire.  Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are common in the region.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters. 



 

Welcome to the new VOANews.com


We'd like to hear what you think of the site - please e-mail us: VOANews@VOANews.com

Video Features

From the Newsroom

From the Newsroom

Afghan Politics - Analysis by Gary Thomas

More »

GoingGreen

Going Green

Watch: The United States debates cutting its carbon dioxide emissions.

More »

Money in Motion

Money in Motion

Watch: Will the declining dollar remain the world's reserve currency?

More »

Now You Know

Now You Know

Watch: A look at the origin and history of the Internet.

More »

The Link

The Link

Have you discovered a Web link you'd like to share with the world?

More »

Most Popular Articles

Special Reports

VOA Blogs

Most E-mailed Articles