Indonesia earthquake toll reaches 310 as more bodies found

death toll from an earthquake that struck Indonesia's Java island early this week rose to 310 after rescuers found more bodies under landslides, an official said. At least 24 people remain missing.

In devasted towns in western Java, residents gared near bly damaged mosques for Friday prayers. Ors held prayers along with rescuers between tents at evacuation centers.

Bodies were recovered Friday in two areas of mountainous Cianjur district where landslides triggered by Monday's quake brought tons of mud, rocks and broken trees, said Henri Alfiandi, chief of National Search and Rescue Agency.

More than 1,400 rescuers have been searching through rubble since magnitude 5.6 quake, which injured more than 2,000 people.

he of National Disaster Management Agency, Suharyanto, who uses one name, said rescuers will continue searching until rebuilding begins.

“We will do it up to last person. re is no reduction whatsoever, in strength, enthusiasm, or equipment,” Suharyanto said.

He said distribution of food and or aid is improving and is reaching more people in 110 evacuation locations.

disaster agency said earthquake damaged at least 56,000 houses and displaced at least 36,000 people. Hundreds of public facilities were destroyed, including 363 schools.

An earthquake of that strength would not typically cause such serious damage. But Monday's quake was shallow and shook a densely populated area that lacks earthquake-resistant infrastructure.

Indonesia is frequently struck by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis because of its location on arc of volcanoes and fault lines in Pacific Basin known as “Ring of Fire.”