JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) - "A strong earthquake rocked Indonesia's West Papua province Friday, killing at least 13 people and causing dozens of buildings and homes to collapse, officials said.
The magnitude-6.4 quake struck at 11:25 a.m. and was centred 30 kilometres from the Papuan town of Nabire, 3,200 kilometres northeast of the capital Jakarta, said seismologist Edison Gurning.
At least 13 people were killed and 65 injured, Maj. Wempi Batlairi of Nabire police said.
The quake destroyed 170 homes and shops, three bridges, a church and a government telecommunications building, he said. Authorities closed the local airport after a crack was found in the runway.
Tents were being erected to house the homeless.
"People are still scared," Batlairi said. "We are still getting aftershocks from the quake. All of the townspeople are outside because they fear that more buildings will collapse..." (End of excerpt. Link to rest of story follows)
Strong earthquake rattles Indonesia's West Papua province, killing 13
7.2 OUCH !
Actually, this area is NOT the one which was hit by that tsunami in '98. That quake was centered off the coast of Papua New Guinea (same island and same side of this island) which is several hundred miles to the east of this area. It is doubtful those in the Bird's Neck area even felt that '98 quake. I was living outside of Jayapura at the time and I did not feel the '98 quake.
What is devastating however, is that in January and February of either 2003 or 2004, this area in the Bird's Neck (Naibire area) were well over 100 earthquakes over 4.0. That swarm did extensive damage and the area was still in the recovery process.
Before you ask, I am not now living outside of Jayapura and therefore didn't feel this quake. I did feel some of the quake swarm earlier this year (or the last).