Tsunami in Indonesia killed 105 people

A earthquake rocked the coast of Indonesia's southern island of Java, causing a tsunami that swept away many houses near the coast and killed at least 105 people, yesterday.

The disaster news immediately caused chaos in the area that once lost nearly 230,000 people in the 2004 tsunami. But there have been no reports of human and property damage in other countries.

The most serious damage is the coast of Pangandaran, near Ciamis city and about 270 km southeast of Jakarta. This is a popular tourist destination due to its proximity to a nature reserve and many small hotels. The waves of up to 1.8 m have flooded the coast, forcing local people to run to a hill to flee.

Pangandaran beach people are being treated
(Photo: Reuters)

"There have been 105 deaths, 148 injuries and 127 missing people," said Putu Suryawan, an official with the Red Cross. "The number of deaths may increase because there are still many missing people."

According to witnesses, the waves swept away wooden houses and kiosks along the Indian Ocean coast.

"A lot of houses on the south coast are destroyed. Only solid houses are standing," said Agus, a local police officer.

"All the houses along the coast collapsed. Small hotels were completely destroyed and at least one restaurant was swept away," said a woman named Teti.

Map depicting the occurrence of the 7.2-magnitude earthquake that caused Tsunami in West Java, Indonesia (Photo: VNN) Santi, a tourist at Pangandaran beach, said she saw about 20 exams. at a hospital in Pangandaran. However, officials of the hospital have not confirmed this information.

A police official revealed that there were about 46 bodies at all local hospitals.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center - based in the US - has warned of the risk of tsunamis on the southern coast of Java Island and the nearby Christmas Island. Police on Christmas Island - owned by Australia - said on the island there were no damage to people and property.

India also warned of the risk of tsunamis on Andaman and Nicobar islands - which experienced a tsunami in 2004 - but officials said the tsunami was unlikely to happen here. Maldives Islands located to the southwest of India also issued similar warnings.

On May 27, a magnitude 6.3 earthquake occurred
in the city of Yogyakarta in Java, killing nearly six thousand people.
(Photo: VNN)

Viet Linh