Rescue workers and police remove a victim from a collapsed building (Photo: Antara Foto/ Irwansyah Putra via Reuters)

JAKARTA – Indonesian authorities have indicated the death toll from a 6.5 magnitude earthquake that struck the northern province of Aceh on Wednesday has risen to 52.

The number of casualties is expected to rise and more than 70 people had been seriously injured, said national disaster management agency spokesman Sutopo Nugroho.

The US Geological Survey said the quake struck just after 5am (local time) at a depth of 17 km on Aceh’s northeastern coast. No tsunami warning was issued.

– Reuters