PADANG, Indonesia, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- International rescuers are planning to end their operations searching for survivors of the 7.6 magnitude earthquake that hit West Sumatra province of Indonesia last week, as the first 75 hours as a limit to find survivors of a disaster has passed.

    United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) official J. Seen said on Monday that international rescuers would officially end their operation after a local government announcement later on Monday.

    "At this moment we are planning to end the operation. ...the reason to stop today is because we have covered all the areas. We did not find anyone more alive under the rubble," Seen said.

    According to international standards, the first 75 hours is normally the time limit to find survivors of disasters, he said.

    Seen said UNDAC had discussed the situation with the local government and rescue agency. Over 800 international rescuers would end their work after an official announcement was expected to make later on Monday by local government, he added.

    Secretary of the local administration Firdaus K. confirmed that the international rescuers would end their mission, but local rescuers would continue on.

    "UNDAC will end its mission, but the local rescuers will continue," he told Xinhua at his office here.

    More than 600 people have been killed and at least 340 other have been missing after the strong quake rattled West Sumatra.

    Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency has revised the magnitude of the earthquake from 7.6 to 7.9 magnitude several days ago.

Indonesia quake aid distribution hampered by transportation obstacle

Senior High School students wait for transport to take them home after an earthquake struck Padang, West Sumatra province, October 5, 2009. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    JAKARTA, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian Social Minister Bachtiar Chamsyah admitted that aids for survivors in the earthquake areas in West Sumatra province are hoarded at the regent's office due to transportation obstacle in distribution, the Kompas.com online news reported on Monday.

    Therefore, the minister has instructed the province's Governor Gamawan Fauzi to distribute aids with smaller rescue cars.

    Reports said that the aids were unevenly distributed due to narrow and damaged roads to the remote areas.  Full story