A strong earthquake has also hit Papua New Guinea and raised the possibility of a tsunami.
The magnitude 7.0 quake struck about 118km east of Kimbe, West New Britain.
Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre oceanographer David Walsh says any tsunami from the earthquake would only affect areas immediately around the epicentre. But scientists don't have any tide gauges close to the where the earthquake happened, so are unable to say at this point whether tsunamis have been generated.
He says areas farther away are unlikely to be affected because of the earthquake isn't "terribly large" and many are shielded by land masses and islands.
It was followed by aftershocks of magnitude 5.7 and 5.9. Just over an hour later, a magnitude 6.3 quake hit farther northeast on the island.
Indonesia's disaster agency says the September 28 disaster that hit Sulawesi Island has killed 2045 people.
Possibly thousands more are buried in areas where the force of the quake liquefied the soil and sucked houses into the earth.
The agency says it only needs tents, water treatment units, generators and transport from other countries.
The agency's spokesman, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, reiterated that the official search for bodies will end today with prayers in hard-hit neighbourhoods.
After appealing for international assistance, Indonesia is now trying to limit foreign involvement in disaster relief. The agency has issued guidelines that say foreign aid workers can be in the field only with Indonesian partners.
- AP
