Rescue workers pulled victims, some screaming in pain, from the heavy rubble of buildings felled by a powerful earthquake that killed at least 531 people. The death toll was expected to rise.
The brunt of Wednesday’s 7.6-magnitude earthquake, which originated in the sea off Sumatra island, appeared to have been borne by Padang town where 376 people were killed. Four other districts accounted for the remaining deaths.
The region was jolted by another powerful earthquake Thursday morning, causing damage but no reported fatalities. More than 500 buildings including hotels, schools, hospitals and a mall were destroyed or damaged in Padang. Thousands of people were believed to be trapped in the rubble. Workers used backhoes to shift debris.
New typhoon looms as SE Asia toll nears 400
Millions of flood-hit survivors of devastating Typhoon Ketsana waited desperately for aid and braced for a new super storm on Thursday as the disaster’s death toll climbed to 383.
One of the most destructive storms in recent years, Ketsana wreaked havoc in the Philippines at the weekend then strengthened over the South China Sea to batter Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand.
{{/usCountry}}One of the most destructive storms in recent years, Ketsana wreaked havoc in the Philippines at the weekend then strengthened over the South China Sea to batter Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand.
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