President Visits Victims Of Aceh Earthquake

Jakarta, July 9 (Antara) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono visited victims of an earthquake which recently rocked Central Aceh and Bener Meriah Districts, Aceh Darussalam Province, on Tuesday. The head of state was expected to present relief aid to the earthquake victims at Rejewali village, Ketol Sub District, Central Aceh District. At least 40 people were killed after the earthquake measuring 6.2 on the Richter Scale rocked the two districts on July 2. By Sunday 12 people were still missing and 150 others were being treated for serious injuries. The quake also damaged 2,432 houses seriously and 3,380 houses lightly. In the cabinet meeting in Jakarta on Monday, the president instructed his ministers to speed up the emergency responses and reconstruction processes following the natural disaster. Aceh Governor Zaini Abdullah earlier said that he was grateful to the central government for its quick response to the disaster. "The Aceh government is thankful to the central government for its quick reaction by sending relief aid to the affected area, including the visit by a number of ministers a day after the quake struck the area. We are also thankful to the commander of the Iskandar Muda regional military command and the chief of the Aceh provincial police and their ranks and files who have helped victims," he said.