The Indonesian government said Monday the death toll from the March 28 earthquake that shook Nias and Simeuleu islands will not reach 1,000 as previously predicted.

"We believe the death toll is below 1,000," Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Alwi Shihab told reporters in Jakarta, adding that the estimated death toll was at 500-700.

He also said the evacuation process will take two weeks to complete despite difficulties in sending heavy machinery to the affected areas.

(Xinhua News Agency April 5, 2005)