29 Nov 2004

More earthquakes predicted in Nabire in Indonesia's Papua

4:59 pm on 29 November 2004

An official of the International Committee of the Red Cross says seismologists are predicting another earthquake will hit the Indonesian province of Papua this week.

At least 19 people were killed and about 160 injured when an earthquake, measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale, shook the town of Nabire on Friday.

The head of the Red Cross delegation to Papua, Hauge Ole, says many houses were extensively damaged, and there have been cuts to electricity and water.

He says after assessing aftershocks, experts are warning of another earthquake.

"They are afraid that an even a stronger earthquake will hit the area sometimes this week. And that of course has frightened many people, with the thought there might be an even worse disaster coming up this week."

Hauge Ole.

At least 39 people died, more than 200 people were hurt and 2000 buildings damaged when a earthquake hit Nabire in February this year.