16 Feb 2004

Death toll from last week's earthquake in Indonesian province of Papua reaches 39

8:24 am on 16 February 2004

The death toll from last week's earthquake in the Indonesian province of Papua has now risen to 39, after two people died from their injuries.

Over two hundred people were hurt in the quakes and more than 2,000 buildings were damaged.

The hospital in the worst hit area, the coastal city of Nabire, says a number of residents are now coming down with illnesses.

Many people are still sleeping out of doors becuase of ongoing after shocks and this had lead them to be more susceptable to mosquito borne diseases such as dengue, and malaria.

Dysentry has also become a problem.