Situation
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An earthquake of magnitude 6.5 M at a depth of 8 km occurred in the Andaman Sea (Indian Ocean), northeast of the Indonesian province of Aceh (Sumatra island), on 6 December at 22.03 UTC. The epicentre was located approx. 19 km southeast of Sigli town (Aceh province, Pidie Regency) and approx. 90 km southeast of Banda Aceh city (Aceh province). USGS estimated that 7 000 people were exposed to "Strong" and 454 000 to "Very Strong" shaking.
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A Tsunami alert was issued 12 min after the event by the Australian Bureu of Meteorology, i.e. one of the two Tsunami Watch Providers for the Indian Ocean, and was lifted 1 h after the earthquake. No Tsunami was detected on the Indonesian coasts.
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According to national authorities, as of 7 December early afternoon (UTC), 94 people have been killed, 617 have been injured, 238 buildings have been damaged, one school and one hospital have been damaged as well as traffic has been disrupted in the districts of Pidie and Bireuen (Aceh region).
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The local disaster management office is deploying heavy machinery to help dig out those who are trapped in the collapsed buildings. Villagers, soldiers and police are also working on rescue efforts in Meureudu, a severely affected town in Pidie Jaya District.
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The national disaster management agency (BNBD) is in contact with the regional disaster management agency (BPBD) in Aceh and is collating the initial reports of damage and casualties.
Sources: GDACS, USGS, BMKG, BNPB, Local Media