Authorities say the death toll from an earthquake in Indonesia islikely to pass 1,000 as underequipped rescue workers dig through rubblefor survivors. And the Philippines is on alert as a new typhoon headstoward the islands days after Typhoon Ketsana killed more than 400people there and in Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos.

Indonesianrescue workers are digging by hand Friday, trying to find survivorsamong the hundreds of people believed trapped under piles of concrete.

Rescue Workers Search for Survivors from Asian Disasters, Death Toll Likely to Rise

Wednesday's earthquake struck off the coast of western Sumatra, with most of the damage in the city of Padang.

Rescue Workers Search for Survivors from Asian Disasters, Death Toll Likely to Rise

VOA'sJakarta correspondent, Brian Padden, has just arrived in Padang. Hesays the streets are busy with people and aid workers are pouring intothe city.

Rescue Workers Search for Survivors from Asian Disasters, Death Toll Likely to Rise

"Just from the airport itself, it's like every thirdor fourth building we passed, there's serious damage, many havecollapsed completely," he said. "Electricity is out everywhere. ? Thereare long lines at gas stations, people are lined up with containerswaiting to get the limited supply of gasoline that's here in the area."

Padden says the damage from Wednesday's quake is much worse than that from an earthquake in early September.

"Inthe last earthquake that hit Java, damage there was scattered, there'dbe little pinpoints of damage. Here it seems everywhere, it'severywhere you look," he said.

Indonesia has asked for foreign aid to help with rescue efforts and support those affected by the 7.6 magnitude quake.

Numerouscountries have offered assistance, including the United States, whichpledged $3 million to help the quake victims.

Washingtonhas also pledged aid for victims of a tropical storm that struck thePhilippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos this week. The storm killedmore than 400 people in the region.

Typhoon Ketsana madelandfall in the Philippines on Saturday, flooding parts of the capital,Manila and leaving tens of thousands homeless.

The Philippines is warning people to leave low-lying areas as another powerful typhoon nears.

Inother natural disasters, the death toll from tsunami waves that hit thepacific islands of Samoa, American Samoa, and Tonga is nearing 200.