6.2 magnitude earthquake kills 34 in Indonesia

Strong earthquake of 6.2-magnitude killed at least 34 in Indonesia’s Sulawesi island early on Friday.

Hundreds more were injured when quake struck triggering panic among the terrified residents of the island.

The epicentre of the quake was six kilometres (3.73 miles) northeast of Majene city at a depth of 10 kilometres.

The quake was felt strongly for about seven seconds but did not trigger a tsunami warning.

Some buildings were badly damaged, including two hotels, the office of the governor of West Sulawesi and a mall.

At least one route into Mamuju had been cut off, he said, due to damage to a bridge.

Rescuers were searching for more than a dozen patients and staff trapped beneath the rubble of the levelled Mamuju hospital.

Rescuers were also trying to reach a family of eight trapped under the rubble of their destroyed home

Indonesia’s disaster mitigation agency says death toll could go up as many of the dead are buried under rubble.

Furthermore, the meteorological agency warned residents that the area could be hit by strong aftershocks and to avoid the beachfront in case of a tsunami.