Indonesia earthquake: death toll rises to 268 after 5.6 earthquake 

At least 268 people have died in the earthquake that hit the island of Java as more bodies were found beneath collapsed buildings, the country’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency said on Tuesday. At least 151 individuals remain missing. 

The 5.6 magnitude earthquake hit Indonesia on Monday afternoon near the city of Cianjur, a city south of Jakarta. The quake had a depth of 6.2 miles (10 km), according to the United States Geological Survey. 

The head of the agency, Suraharyanto, said that at least 1,083 people were injured during the quake. Hospitals have become overwhelmed and patients are being laid out in stretchers set up in tents outside. 

Many of the casualties were public school students, who were taking lessons when the buildings collapsed, said West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil. 

In Cijedil, a village northwest of Cianjur, the earthquake triggered a landslide that left several houses buried and streets blocked, according to the Chief of the National Search and Rescue Agency Henri Alfiandi. 

"We are maximizing operations at several points where it is suspected that there are still casualties. Our team is also trying to reach remote areas," he said. "For us, all victims are a priority, our goal is to find them and save lives by getting them evacuated as soon as possible and get medical help."

Many rescue efforts, however, were thwarted by damaged roads and bridges, as well as power outages. Rescue teams also lacked the heavy equipment needed to move the heavy concrete rubble caused by collapsed buildings. 

“We are racing against time to rescue people,” said public works and housing spokesperson Endra Atmawidjaja, adding that many people are still under the rubble. 

More than 22,000 homes were destroyed and 58,000 people were displaced, said Suraharyanto. Trucks from Jakarta arrived in Cianjur with food, tents, blankets, and other supplies for those who lost their homes during the earthquake. 

President Joko Widodo visited Cianjur on Tuesday to reassure the government’s support to those who lost their loved ones and their homes. 

"On behalf of myself and on behalf of the government, I would like to express my deep condolences to the victims and their families in this Cianjur earthquake," he said after visiting survivors in shelters on a soccer field.