New Zealand surfers safe after quake ordeal

GUNUNG SITOLI, Indonesia - Two New Zealand surfers who were caught in the earthquake that hit Indonesia's quake-hit island of Nias arrived safe and sound in the main city on Thursday, after a ordeal that started on one of the country's remote beaches and lasted for six hours, National Radio has reported.

The two men are Sydney-based Bevan Carr, 31, and his friend Mark Thorn, 30. They telephoned relatives and the NZ embassy shortly after arriving in Gunung Sitoli from the northwestern beach village of Afulu.

National Radio says the pair were reduced to just the clothes on their backs and their passports. Their plans are reportedly to to catch a flight to mainland Indonesia then return to their homes.

Mr Carr said he was "blown away" by what he had seen on Nias, reports said.