By Courtney Barrow , AccuWeather staff writer
December 7,2016, 10:30:49AM,EST
A 6.5 magnitude earthquake killed at least 97 people after it struck off the coast of Indonesia's Aceh province early Wednesday morning, local time.
The search continues to find survivors, but authorities said they hope to finish by sunset.According to the United States Geological Survey, the quake was about 5 miles (8.2 km) under the ocean, and about 11 miles (nearly 18 km) southeast from the town of Sigli.
According to officials, Pidie Jaya, the region closest to the epicenter within Aceh, has the higest death toll of the surrounding area.
The local hospital has been treating people in tents outside the building due to the overwhelming number of injuries, the Associated Press reported.
Estos son algunos de los daños que dejó el sismo de 6.5 grados en Aceh, #Indonesia.
Officials said there is a dire need of excavation equipment to remove rubble and get supplies to those affected. The search effort for survivors is ongoing.
The USGS initially rated the earthquake as a 6.4 quake, but later upped it to a magnitude of 6.5. At least five aftershocks were reportedly felt across the province.
Indonesia's Climate, Meteorology and Geophysics Agency said there is no threat of a tsunami.
Related links:
Indonesia weather center
Indonesia satellite map
5 things to avoid if an earthquake strikes
This disaster is reminiscent for some after the Aceh province was hit by an earthquake back in 2004, which triggered a devastating tsunami and killed over 100,000 people.
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