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An earthquake measuring up to 7.1 on the Richter scale struck eastern Indonesia on Saturday, a day after one of similar magnitude killed 27 people and injured hundreds.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the latest quake's epicentre was near the town of Nabire, in remote Papua province, according to survey spokesman Butch Kinerney. It was of greater magnitude than the 6.9 earthquake that struck nearby early on Friday, causing widespread damage.
Saturday's tremor, which Indonesia's own earthquake centre said was 6.2 on the Richter scale, triggered panic in Nabire, where many residents had refused to return to their homes fearing aftershocks.
As night fell on Saturday residents stayed outside their houses with candles to light their surroundings.
Most of the population decided to spend the night underneath the stars.
"It gets more lively as night falls. People were staying outside their houses and lighting candles. It's just like a night market," said Tika, one of several residents of Biak 250 kilometres north of Nabire.
Most of the deaths in Friday's quake, which occurred in the early hours in the morning, were from houses and buildings collapsing in the town, a regional centre of 26,000 people.
The USGS's Kinerney, speaking in the United States, said: "there could be significant damage and casualties from this earthquake as well", referring to Saturday's tremor. But Nabire district police chief Mohamad Son Ani told reporters on the scene: "There was no fresh damage".
Another police officer, Miftah, said the death toll from the first quake, put at 25 earlier in the day, had reached 27. Son Ani said the total number of injured was 200.
Officials fear it could be days before the extent of damage and death in the countryside and smaller villages is known. The area is remote and Friday's quake knocked out most of the area's electricity and communications.
Saturday's quake struck at 11:42 am Papua time (0242 GMT). Before it hit, Nabire's city centre had started to return to normal, with some shops open for business.
An official at Indonesia's quake centre said more aftershocks are likely to be felt for another week, although he expected those tremors would be a mild.
Several doctors were still treating patients outside the badly damaged Nabire hospital and beds had been set up in tents outside.
The grounds were littered with used syringes, medical gloves and blood-soaked cotton balls.
A nurse said there were shortages of medicines and anaesthetics.
The first quake destroyed schools, forced the airport to close to commercial flights and buckled and cracked roads. It knocked one church tower to the ground.
Until Saturday, the local airport was still close to most flights as the quake caused some cracks on its runway.
A mosque was also damaged, its silver dome smashed on the ground. Worshippers had been inside for early prayers on Friday prior to the quake. "Luckily it did not happen in the middle of the prayer," said worshipper Rahardian.
The epicentre of Friday's quake was about seven kilometres from the town. The USGS said Saturday's quake occurred 30 miles (48 km) further to the west.

Copyright Reuters, 2004

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