JAKARTA (XINHUA) - A shallow earthquake in Central Java province has left two people dead, 21 others injured and over 300 buildings damaged, a disaster agency official said on Thursday (April 19).

More than 2,000 people have taken shelter in evacuation centres set up after the quake, said Mr Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesman of the natural disaster management agency.

All the wounded have received treatment at a nearby clinic and hospital, he added.

The earthquake, with a magnitude of 4.4 and a depth of 4km, struck the province at 1.28pm local time on Wednesday, according to the geophysics and meteorology agency.

"The worst impacts were in Kalibening sub-district of Banjarnegara district as the unstable condition of soil has also worsened the risks," Mr Sutopo told Xinhua in a text message.

He said 316 houses, four mosques and two school buildings were devastated, while 2,104 people have fled home to evacuation centres.

Nearly 200 soldiers and personnel from the search-and-rescue office and disaster agency office are jointly undertaking relief efforts in the affected areas, said Mr Sutopo.

Clean water and food are among the items badly needed, he noted.

Indonesia is prone to earthquakes as it lies at a vulnerable zone called "the Pacific Ring of Fire".