At least 34 people were killed when an earthquake struck the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia, injuring hundreds and displacing thousands. The BBC reports that Friday morning’s 6.2-magnitude quake followed an earlier, smaller tremor. Tremors were felt at around 01:00 local time for about seven seconds.

Rescuers are searching through the rubble of the partially collapsed Mitra Manakarra hospital, where eight people died as a result of the quake. Sixty others had been safely evacuated from the hospital.

The BBC reports that rescuers have been hampered by power cuts and lack of a phone signal. Getting response teams to the area has also been problematic due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Dr Gayatri Marliyani, of the geology department at Gajah Mada University in Yogyakarta, said the governor’s office was among the collapsed buildings. She said several hospitals and one hotel had also been damaged.

Authorities have warned that strong aftershocks could follow and could trigger a tsunami. While no tsunami warning has been issued, thousands have nevertheless fled.

Umm Muhammed Umar