In Indonesia, rescue workers are searching for survivors after the earthquake

Rescuers combing the rubble after the earthquake in search for survivors in the Aceh province in Indonesia. At least 102 people were killed, including children, and 136 were seriously injured.

An earthquake of magnitude 6.5 has damaged houses, shops and mosques in the area, Pidi Jaya, completely destroying hundreds of structures. Additional medical workers were sent to the area where was destroyed the mosque at a time when people were preparing for morning prayer.

Speaking in Jakarta, the representative of the national Council for disaster management said the death toll could still rise. "Currently, our priority is search and rescue operation. We must move quickly to save their lives," he said.

Indonesia's President Joko Widodo ordered to send immediate assistance in Aceh the earthquake. Manager of humanitarian aid Australia Meg Quartermaine said Wednesday that bad weather and nightfall raised the ongoing search and rescue operations. But local rescuers in Aceh, however, continue to carry out assessments of emergency situations and to distribute the basic necessities.

Not been issued any tsunami warning. The epicenter was 12 miles (19 km) South-East of the town of Sigli in Aceh province. Despite the lack of a tsunami warning, the representative said that some residents fled to safety in the mountains after the earthquake. "They are still traumatised after the last big earthquake and tsunami that happened in 2004," he said. During the disaster in 2004 killed more than 80 thousand people. After a tsunami swept across Indonesia, millions of people were left homeless. Major earthquakes are quite common in Indonesia.

sections: Accidents, World News