1,325 dead as quake rocks Java island

A powerful earthquake flattened buildings in central Indonesia early today, killing up to 1,325 people and leaving overwhelmed doctors begging for help, a government official said.

The Indonesian Red Cross could not confirm the toll, saying its figure stood at 446 dead and nearly 3,000 injured.

The magnitude 6.2 quake struck at 5.54am near the ancient city of Yogyakarta as many people slept, causing death and damage there and in many nearby towns.

Roads and bridges were destroyed, hindering efforts to get the wounded to hospitals. Some phone lines also were cut.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono ordered the army to help evacuate victims, as panicked residents ran into the smouldering streets, many clutching young children. He said he would head to the disaster zone in Central Java province later today.

Eight hours after the quake struck, the number of dead stood at 1,325, said Social Affairs Ministry official Andriana, who goes only by one name.

The Indonesian Red Cross said its toll stood at 446, but that it had not been able to reach officials in one of the most devastated areas, Bantul, which the ministry had.

“Their death toll is very possible,” said Arifin Muhadi, head of the Red Cross’ disaster division. “We just don’t know yet.”