Earthquake: 15 UiTM students undergoing programme in Aceh reported safe

Fifteen Malaysian students from the Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Shah Alam who went for a students' mobility program called ‘Meaningful Academic Visit to Banda Aceh’ are reported to be safe.

According to a statement issued by the university's public relations, the students and programme leader Deputy Dean Prof Dr Azizah Hanom Ahmad, were at a safe distance from where the earthquake struck.

"The faculty had informed us and confirmed that they (the students and programme leader) are safe and unhurt.

"They're in a location that is 65 kilometers from the areas affected by the tremors," he said.

At least 25 people died and hundreds were injured after a strong earthquake struck off Aceh province on Indonesia's Sumatra island on Wednesday, local officials said.

READ: More than 20 dead in Indonesian earthquake

READ: [LIVE UPDATE] Death toll rises after strong earthquake rocks Aceh, Indonesia

The shallow 6.5-magnitude quake struck Pidie Jaya district at dawn, as some in the predominantly Muslim region prepared for morning prayers.

Mosques and shops were flattened in the small town of Meureudu, where the force of the quake sent people fleeing from their homes. No tsunami alert was issued.

The head of the local disaster agency, Puteh Manaf, said the sole hospital in the district had been overwhelmed by the number of injured.