Death toll rises in Indonesia earthquake

Indonesian officials announced on Friday that 23 people have died, with around 100 more people suffering from injuries from an earthquake that rattled the country on Thursday.

While the region has a relatively smaller population in comparison to other parts of the country, poor housing structures in Ambon could cause the death toll to rise further.

Indonesia’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency said most victims died as a result of collapsed infrastructure and that at least 117 buildings were damaged. Approximately 15,000 people sought refuge in temporary shelters.

The quake created large cracks in a main bridge in Ambon and several government offices were also affected.

The magnitude 6.5 quake was centered 20.5 miles northeast of Ambon at a depth of 11 miles, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

According to the US Geological Survey, the earthquake covered a stretch of 33 kilometers  northeast of Ambon at a depth of 18 kilometers .

Via NZ Herald