Quake injures dozens on isolated Indonesian island
( 2002-11-02 16:00 ) (7 )

Dozens of people on the remote Indonesian island of Simeulu were injured by an earthquake that rocked the country early Saturday, a doctor told AFP.

Thirty-six victims arrived at the small hospital in Sinabang town on the Acehnese island of Simeulu, Doctor Hanif told AFP by telephone.

He said six of the injured had been hurt seriously, with broken bones. The others were less seriously hurt, Hanif said.

The quake measured 7.7 on the Richter scale according to US and Australian authorities, though Indonesian meteorological officials say the temblor was smaller at 5.6.

It struck at around 8:30am (0130 GMT) and was centred near the Aceh district of Singkel, about 100 kms across the sea from Simeulu.