Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono Wednesday visited victims in the earthquake-hit Solok regency, West Sumatra, where a series of natural catastrophes occurred in the last few days.

An earthquake measuring 6.7 on the Richter scale hit West Sumatra's provincial capital of Padang on Sunday, causing local residents to flee their homes in panic.

On Wednesday, an aftershock measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale hit Padang. The quake, which struck at 9:59 a.m. under the sea, some 142 km southwest of Padang, did little to ease worries in the city that a major disaster is imminent.

The situation was worsened when Mount Talang in Solok regency erupted on Tuesday, spewing hot ash into the air and causing thousands of residents to flee.

Solok Regent Gemawan Fauzi was quoted Wednesday by the Antara news agency as saying the activities of the volcano had lessened on Wednesday, though ash continued to spew from it.

Gemawan said he appreciated Susilo's efforts to reach out to people living in the disaster-hit areas. "The President's visit constitutes moral support at a time when we are badly in need of assistance, particularly supplies," Gemawan said.

Source: Xinhua