Series of Quakes Kill 4 In Indonesia

January 4, 2009 9:11 a.m. EST

Jakarta, Indonesia (AHN) - At least four people were killed and more than 19 were injured when a series of powerful earthquakes hit West Papua province with a magnitude of 7.6 on the Richter scale Sunday, authorities said.

According to police officials, several fatal aftershocks were felt in eastern Indonesia as its electricity was temporarily cut off.

Police also said some establishments were badly damaged and a hotel was flattened to the ground.

Thousands of people have fled their homes even after the Tsunami alert was cancelled early Sunday morning.

The quake hit about 100 miles Manokwan northwest and the city proper of West Papua province.

Indonesia sits on a so-called, "Pacific Ring of Fire" where continental plates meet and cause frequent volcanic and seismic activity which is usually fatal.