Death toll in east Indonesia quake rises to 30, many still in shelters

HANDOUT / BADAN NASIONAL PENANGGULANGAN BENCANA / AFP

The death toll from a strong earthquake that struck Indonesia's eastern province of Maluku on Thursday has risen to 30.

That's according to the national disaster mitigation agency (BNBP), which said more than 150 people are being treated for their injuries.

Officials said most of the victims were crushed to death by poorly constructed buildings in Ambon.

Over 200,000 people continue to remain in evacuation shelters, they added.

Hundreds of houses and dozens of public infrastructure were destroyed by the 6.5-magnitude quake. 

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