At least 18 dead in Indonesian earthquake

BANDA ACEH, Indonesia: At least 18 people died and dozens were feared trapped in rubble after a strong earthquake struck off Aceh province on Indonesia´s Sumatra island on Wednesday, officials said.

"Eighteen have died so far, based on data from the hospital. Some of the fatalities are children," Said Mulyadi, deputy district chief of Pidie Jaya, the region hit hardest by the quake, told AFP.