Indonesian officials say a powerful earthquake that struck off the
coast of Sumatra has killed at least 75 people, in the second major
earthquake in the region in two days.
The U.S. Geological Survey says the Sumatra quake had a magnitude of
7.6 and was centered 600 kilometers northwest of Jakarta, near the city
of Padang.
Officials say thousands of people may be trapped in the wreckage of collapsed buildings and landslides.
Meanwhile in the Samoan islands, authorities say the number of dead
from Tuesday's 8.0-magnitude earthquake and resulting tsunami waves has
risen to at least 119.
The majority of fatalities occurred in Samoa, where at least 84 people
were killed. Another 24 are confirmed dead on American Samoa, and seven
fatalities have been reported in nearby Tonga.
And the number of deaths from Typhoon Ketsana is up to more than 330,
after the storm raked across the Philippines, central Vietnam, and
Cambodia earlier this week. As rescue workers look for more victims,
forecasters say tropical storm Parma has strengthened in the Pacific
and could bring more rain to the region.