Indonesia earthquake deaths reach 2,900

BANTUL, Indonesia - A powerful earthquake flattened buildings in central Indonesia early Saturday, killing at least 2,900 people and injuring thousands more in the country's worst disaster since the 2004 tsunami. The magnitude-6.2 quake struck at 5:54 a.m. near the ancient city of Yogyakarta, as most people were sleeping, causing death and damage in many nearby towns. One geologist warned that the temblor could spark a large eruption at nearby Mount Merapi, one of the world's most active volcanoes. Houses, hotels and government buildings collapsed, sending hysterical people running through the streets. Many roads and bridges were destroyed, hindering efforts to get taxis and pickup trucks filled with wounded to hospitals overflowing with patients. Fourteen hours after the quake struck, the number of dead stood at 2,914, said Social Affairs Ministry official Sopar Jaya. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060527/ap_on_re_as/indonesia_earthquake