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Dozens Killed and Hundreds Injured as Massive Earthquake Shakes Indonesia

This Week

A magnitude 5.6 earthquake shook Indonesia’s main island of Java on Monday, killing nearly 60 people and injuring over 700.

The quake hit the Cianjur region in West Java at a depth of 10 kilometers according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

West Javan Governor Ridwan Kamil says residents remain trapped at various locations.

“We assume the [number of] dead and injured victims will continue to increase over time,” he said.

Among the collapsed buildings were at least four schools, as well as dozens of residential buildings, a mosque, and a hospital.

Communications have been disrupted due to power outages in some areas, with authorities warning of landslides in the event of heavy rain. BBC reports as many as 25 aftershocks recorded two hours after the quake.

Governor Kamil said during a news conference that rescuers are currently unable to reach some of those trapped, with the situation remaining chaotic as further aftershocks are expected.

He said that the death toll is likely to rise further.

Indonesia is located on the Pacific Ocean’s “Ring of Fire,” which causes regular earthquakes and volcanic activity.

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