Earthquake wrecks 3,000 houses

BANDUNG: An earthquake jolted several parts of West Java, damaging at least 3,287 houses in southern Garut, Bandung regency, on Wednesday afternoon.

The worst affected area was Pada Awas village in Garut, where 53 houses were flattened by the 5.1 multitude earthquake. The tremor was also felt in Sumedang regency.

Garut residents initially thought the tremor was a result of activities of a geothermal power plant belonging to PT Chepron Texaco Energy Indonesia. Hundreds of people went to the plant to protest.

Thousands of residents had moved to 30 displace persons camps set up at local administration offices as of Thursday for fear of aftershocks. -- JP