<span style="color: #222222;">The death toll from a powerful earthquake that hit a remote Indonesian island chain at the weekend has climbed to five. <br />''<br />''North Maluku was also hit by a 6.9-magnitude tremor. <br />''<br />''Nearly 1,000 houses were damaged in the sparsely-populated district of South Halmahera, which was closest to the quake's epicentre. <br />''<br />''More than 3,000 people have taken refuge in government buildings and schools.<br />''<br />''Local authorities have placed the district under emergency and have begun establishing public kitchens, as well as distributing aid and tents.</span><br />