Ireland pledges €500,000 in aid to earthquake victims

The Minister for Overseas Aid Peter Power has pledged €500,000 for the victims of the natural disasters in Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

Indonesian officials say at least 770 people are now known to have died in the two earthquakes which have struck the Indonesian island of Sumatra.

The worst hit area was the West Sumatra capital of Padang, where more than 370 people perished.

Rescuers are continuing to search for survivors, with the death toll expected to rise significantly.

Minister Power says the Irish aid will go to those who need it most.