A powerful earthquake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale rocked Merapi volcano area, bordering central Java province and Yogyakarta special district, early Saturday, killing at least three people, according to local radio reports and a witness.

The quake took place at 5:53 a.m. (2253 GMT, Friday) also rocked several areas in Karanganyar county, local meteorological and geophysics agency was quoted as saying.

The quake was located at 7.6 degrees south latitude and 110.58 degrees east longitude, and 33 km below the sea level.

The Hong Kong Meteorological Observatory put the magnitude of the quake at 6.2.

According to the El Shinda Radio, more people were feared to have died and hundreds of others injured.

Electricity and communications across the area were also cut, police said.

Source: Xinhua