The death toll from a powerful earthquake that hit Indonesia’s Sulawesi Island has risen to 34, the National Disaster Management Agency said.

A powerful 6.2-magnitude quake rocked Sulawesi Island at 2:18 am local time on Friday.

The agency said eight people died in Majene Regency, while 26 were killed in Mamuju Regency. Meanwhile, 637 people were reportedly injured while more than 15,000 people have been evacuated to 10 shelters from the affected areas

Rescuers have been searching for people trapped under the rubble of buildings, it said.

Falling rubble from shaking buildings injured dozens more when terrified residents ran out in panic. The island was hit by a huge earthquake two and a half years ago in which thousands were killed.

In Mamuju, a city of some 110,000 in West Sulawesi, a hospital completely collapsed, rescuers said.

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

National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesman Raditya Jati said death toll could rise.

The epicentre was 36 kilometres (22 miles) south of Mamuju and the quake had a relatively shallow depth of 18 kilometres, the United States Geological Survey said.

Indonesia experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to its position on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, where tectonic plates collide. 

The story was filed by the News Desk. The Desk can be reached at info@thecorrespondent.com.pk.

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