The UN says that Wednesday's powerful earthquake that devastated the Sumatran city of Padang killed 1100 people and the death toll will continue to rise as there may be thousands of people trapped under the rubble.

The initial quake, which registered 7.6 on the Richter scale, hit at 1716 local time and was followed 20 minutes later by a powerful aftershock. The epicentre was 53 kilometres north-west of the coast of Padang, Sumatra's main city and home to around a million people. Sumatra was hit by a second major earthquake today that registered 6.8 on the Richter scale. The epicentre was some 225 kilometres land inwards to the southeast of Padang. There are very few reports about the damage and casualties caused by today's earthquake.

Wednesday's earthquake destroyed most of Padang's infrastructure and the city is extremely chaotic. Electricity and telephone networks are down, hundreds of the buildings were destroyed and the rubble is blocking roads. Water and sewerage pipes were destroyed in the quake and there is a serious shortage of drinking water. Food is in short supply as many shops are buried under the rubble.
 

International aid efforts have begun and planeloads of food, water, blankets medicine and body bags have already arrived. European Union has allocated 3 million euros for humanitarian aid for Sumatra.