PRESIDENT ASKS VOLUNTEERS TO CONTINUE SEARCH FOR QUAKE VICTIMS

Cianjur, W Java, Sept 4 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has asked rescuers to keep searching for quake victims who are still missing.

"Our hope is the team of rescuers now helping search for the victims would continue working maximally," he said on Thursday.

President Yudhoyono praised joint teams of rescuers from the military, the police, the scout movement, youth organizations, the red cross and others that had so far worked without reserve.

He thanked those that had worked in the field since the quake occurred.

He said he had also worked and inspected in the field to see the real situation and conveyed condolences to the families of the dead victims.

President Yudhoyono and several cabinet members visited Cianjur which was hit the hardest in the 7.3 magnitude quake on Wendesday.

He said the government would bear the cost for rebuilding houses that had been destroyed or damaged in the quake.

"We will help those whose houses have been damaged heavily or lightly in line with the agreement with the Cianjur administration. The wounded would also receive a medical assistance," he said.

Heri Ridiyana of the Cianjur Red Cross said he could not tell when the search would continue.

"We do not know yet when it will be stopped. Right now it is still continuing," he said.

More than 50 people have been reported killed after the quake on Wednesday, whose epicenter was 142 southwest of Tasikmalaya, West Java while hundred others had been wounded.

Thousands of structures and houses have also been damaged after the disaster.***1***