Death toll in Indonesia earthquake rises to at least 252

The death toll from an earthquake on the Indonesian island of Java has risen to at least 252, officials said Tuesday.

The death toll from an earthquake on the Indonesian island of Java has risen to at least 252, officials said Tuesday, after rescuers recovered more bodies from the rubble of collapsed buildings.

The greatest damage from the 5.6-magnitude earthquake Monday afternoon was in Cianjur, a city south of the country's capital, Jakarta. Local officials announced the higher death toll in an Instagram post, up from 162 the night before. They said 31 people were still missing and hundreds had been injured.

Rescue efforts were aided Tuesday by improvements in power supplies and phone communications and the arrival of heavy equipment to help move the debris. Trucks from Jakarta also delivered food, tents, blankets and other supplies to people housed in temporary shelters.

Some people may be still trapped under the rubble, said Endra Atmawidjaja, a spokesperson for public works and housing.

“We are racing against time to rescue people,” he said.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/indonesia-earthquake-java-photos-rcna58290

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