Powerful quake hits Indonesia's Papua province, some damage reported

JAKARTA (AFP) Feb 06, 2004
A powerful earthquake measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale hit Indonesia's Papua province early Friday and a radio station reported damage in one northwestern town.

The geophysics and meteorology agency said the quake struck at 6.05 am (2105 GMT Thursday) and was centred nine km (five miles) southeast of the town of Nabire.

El Shinta news radio reported damage to mosques and an airport in Nabire. Local officials could not immediately be reached for comment.

France's earth sciences observatory in Strasbourg said it was the largest quake measured in the region since 2000.

The Indonesian archipelago is one of the world's most earthquake-prone regions, sitting on the so-called "Pacific Rim of Fire" noted for its volcanic and seismic activity.

TERRA.WIRE