MEDAN, Indonesia, Dec. 30 (Xinhuanet) -- The death toll from Sunday's powerful 8.7-magnitude earthquake and the tsunamis that followed has reached 45,268 so far, an official from the Indonesian Ministry of Health told Xinhua by telephone here Thursday.

    The official, named only as Yinda said as more bodies would be found and massive rescue work is still going on, the death toll could be higher.

    Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla predicted Wednesday that the death toll could reach 40,000 to 50,000 in Indonesia as thousands of residents in the affected areas were still missing.

    Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Wednesday issued decrees on stepping up relief efforts for provinces of Acehand North Sumatra, that were seriously hit by Sunday's earthquake and tsunami. Enditem