More tremors hit Bengkulu

BENGKULU: Another large tremor measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale shook Bengkulu on Sunday nearly three weeks after the initial earthquake which caused nearly 100 deaths.

"The latest quake was felt at around 9:23 a.m. here on Sunday," said Anang, an official at the local Meteorology and Geophysics Agency.

He said four tremors actually occurred on Sunday, but only one could be widely felt. On Saturday, instruments recorded six small tremors.

"Based on our observations, there have been 2,007 tremors in the last three weeks," he said as quoted by Antara.

In a related development, Malaysia has donated foodstuffs and building materials worth US$100,000 to the Bengkulu earthquake victims.

The aid was presented by Malaysia's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Leo Michael Toyat to Bengkulu Governor Hasan Zen here on Saturday.

Malaysia is among a number of countries which have provided relief aid to the quake victims.

"What happens to ASEAN countries, neighboring Indonesia in particular, is Malaysia's concern," Zen said.

Over 2,500 were injured in the June 4 quake which also measured 7.3 on the Richter scale and caused material damages upward of Rp 400 billion.