MEUREUDU, Indonesia (AP) — A strong undersea earthquake rocked Indonesia's Aceh province early on Wednesday, killing at least 54 people and sparking a frantic rescue effort in the rubble of dozens of collapsed and damaged buildings.
Excavators were trying to remove debris from shop houses and other buildings where people were believed buried.
National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho told a news conference that the death toll could increase.
Aiyub Abbas, the chief of Pidie Jaya district, which is located 18 kilometers (11 miles) southwest of the epicenter, said there is urgent need for excavation equipment to move heavy debris and emergency supplies.
In the capital Jakarta, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo said he has ordered all government agencies to take part in the rescue efforts.
