Number killed in eastern Indonesian quake climbs to 17

Published November 17, 2014

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — An Indonesian official says the number of people killed when several strong earthquakes hit eastern Indonesia last week has climbed to 17.

More than 4,600 others were left homeless, with many still living in shelters.

A massive 7.0-magnitude tremor struck beneath the ocean floor off the northern coast of Papua province last Wednesday. It was followed by a series of strong aftershocks, the highest measuring 6.4, adding to the widespread panic.

Priyadi Kardono, who is the spokesman for the National Disaster Management Agency, said Monday that 13 of the victims died when a landslide triggered by the quake buried their van.

Indonesia straddles a series of fault lines that make the vast island nation prone to earthquakes.

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