GENEVA, May 27 (Xinhua) -- The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) on Saturday launched an emergency appeal for more than 9 million U.S. dollars to support relief work in earthquake-hit Indonesia.

    At least 2,700 people have been killed and an estimated 3,000 injured by the strong earthquake, which struck the island of Java early Saturday, the IFRC said, adding that some 200,000 people have been made homeless.

    The Indonesian Red Cross, with the support of the IFRC, responded to the disaster immediately by mobilizing more than 400 volunteers and staff in the region.

    Red Cross medical experts and a rapid assessment team were also deployed to the earthquake zone.

    The quake hit the densely populated area near the city of Yogyakarta along Java's southern coast and caused severe damage to buildings in the surrounding area, including the towns of Klaten, Bantul and Kulon.

    The epicenter was located in the Indian Ocean, 37 kilometers south of Yogyakarta. It did not cause a tsunami wave.

    "In Bantul, 70 to 80 percent of homes and buildings were damaged or destroyed, while electricity and water services have also been affected throughout the region," said Arnulv Torbjornsen, head of the IFRC's delegation in Jakarta.

    "Aftershocks are continuing to shake the city and many people remain trapped under buildings and rubble," he added.

    The quake struck close to Mount Merapi, an active volcano that has been threatening to erupt for several weeks.

    It is not known whether the earthquake will cause Mount Merapi's activity to increase, but local officials and Red Cross representatives are closely monitoring the situation.

    "The Indonesian Red Cross has been gearing up for the threat of Mount Merapi's eruption since April," said Mar'ie Muhammad, chairman of the Indonesian Red Cross.

    "As a result, we were well positioned to send emergency relief supplies and medical staff to the site as soon as the quake struck," he said. Enditem