JAKARTA.

JAKARTA, (AFP) ??” Seven population have been killed when a powerful earthquake struck Indonesia's Papua province, the Meteorology and Geophysics Agency said.

It said in a statement the seven died when an earthquake measuring 69 forward the Richter Scale hit at 6:05 am (2105 GMT Thursday).

The quake, centr about seven kilometres (four miles) from Nabire town in Papua's northwest, damaged buildings including the local hospital.

"Nabire Hospital was heavily damaged, with the terminate that patients must be state in an emergency tent," the statement said.

The quake also pitilessed trees and damaged several houses and at least united bridge, the agency said. Walls and roads