5 Jan 2009

Aftershocks continue in West Papua

3:12 pm on 5 January 2009

Continuing earthquakes and aftershocks in the remote West Papua region of Indonesia are hindering efforts to reach the affected area.

The US Geological Survey recorded a magnitude 7.6 quake 150 kilometres north-east of Manokwari, at a depth of 35 kilometres, early on Sunday. Four people are reported to have been killed and 37 injured.

An official at Indonesia's meteorology agency said there were several more quakes in the area during the night.

The region is 2955 kilometres east of Jakarta. An Australian disaster relief agency says the quakes were felt in Papua New Guinea and in Darwin.