An earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale has struck eastern Indonesia, a day after one of similar magnitude killed 25 people and injured scores more in the same area, the U.S. Geological Survey says.
The quake's epicentre on Saturday was near the town of Nabire, in remote Papua province, according to survey spokesman Butch Kinerney. It was of greater magnitude than the 6.9 earthquake that struck the area early on Friday, causing widespread damage.
"This leads us to believe there could be significant damage and casualties from this earthquake as well," he said.
Indonesia's meteorological bureau said the latest earthquake, which struck around 0242 GMT, had a magnitude of 6.2 on Richter scale, an official at the bureau said.
Sarmin, an officer at Nabire police station, confirmed the latest earthquake.
"Yes, there was an aftershock around 1200 local time, but it was not that big. Windows were shaking," he said by telephone.
Residents camped outside their damaged homes on Saturday fearing more aftershocks.
"I could not sleep last night. We all refused to go inside our houses until this morning. The situation is still tense," Marquisa, a mother of four, told Reuters as she stood outside her home in Nabire, a regional centre of 26,000 people.
"We brought everything that we could but we do not know for how long we have to stay like this," another resident said.
Yesterday's quake damaged many buildings and its epicentre about seven kilometres from the town. The USGS said Saturday's quake occurred 30 miles (48 km) west of the one recorded on Friday.
The quake destroyed schools, forced the airport to close and damaged places of worship. The dome of one mosque had smashed to the ground and roads were buckled and cracked.
A Reuters photographer said he saw relatively few houses damaged because many homes in the town were made out of wood.
Muhamad Son Ani, district police chief in Nabire, said the death toll had risen to 25 from 23. Another police officer in Nabire told Reuters that 187 people had been injured, many seriously.
Officials expect the death toll to rise because the figures only account for casualties within or close to the town.
With electricity and most communication lines dead it was difficult for officials to coordinate and obtain the latest figures.
In one hospital, 86 people were being treated and many beds were outside in makeshift tents.
A nurse said there were shortages of medicines and anaesthetics.
Indonesia's chief social welfare minister Jusuf Kalla and several other officials were scheduled to arrive in Nabire on Saturday.
Rugged but resource-rich Papua - formerly known as Irian Jaya - is 3,000 km east of Indonesia's capital, Jakarta.
Since Feb 3, the region has been struck by a total of seven moderate to strong earthquakes, ranging from 4.5 on the Richter scale to 7.1, the USGS said.