Quake damages houses in Maluku

Quake damages houses in Maluku

JAKARTA: The earthquake and aftershocks which have rocked Obi
Island since Monday have damaged houses and other buildings in
several villages in Ternate regency, an official said yesterday.

A staff member of the local meteorology and geophysics office
in Ternate, Haryo Paudji, told The Jakarta Post by telephone that
there were no casualties because most villagers were out of their
houses when the quake struck.

"The damage was lighter than that caused by the tremor which
jolted the island last October," he said.

Antara reported yesterday that the initial quake, which
registered at 6.1 on the Richter scale early Monday, and the one
measuring 5.5 on the same scale which followed that same evening,
caused extensive damage in at least two villages.

The report said the quakes damaged 70 houses in Galala and
Pasir Putih villages. The quakes also damaged an elementary
school and destroyed a bridge.

Poor communications links with the island have hindered
reports on the extent of the damage caused. Haryo said
aftershocks still continued, but with lesser frequency and
intensity. (rms)