A powerful earthquake shook the southern coast of Java, Indonesia, triggering a tsunami that swept away many homes near the shore and claiming the lives of at least 105 people yesterday.
News of the disaster immediately caused panic in a region that lost nearly 230,000 lives in the 2004 tsunami. However, there have been no reports of casualties or property damage in other countries.
The most severely affected area was Pangandaran Beach, located near the city of Ciamis and about 270 km southeast of the capital Jakarta. This popular tourist destination is close to a nature reserve and features numerous small hotels. Waves reaching heights of 1.8 meters inundated the shore, forcing local residents to flee to higher ground for safety.
Residents of Pangandaran Beach being rescued
(Photo: Reuters)
“There are 105 confirmed deaths, 148 injuries, and 127 people missing,” stated Putu Suryawan, an official from the Red Cross. “The death toll may rise as many individuals are still unaccounted for.”
Witnesses reported that the waves washed away homes and wooden kiosks along the Indian Ocean coast.
“Many houses along the southern coast were destroyed. Only the sturdier structures remained 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,” confirmed a woman named Teti.
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| Map showing the location of the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that caused the tsunami in West Java, Indonesia (Photo: VNN) |
Santi, a tourist at Pangandaran Beach, reported seeing around 20 bodies at a hospital in Pangandaran. However, hospital officials have not confirmed this information.
A police official revealed that there are approximately 46 bodies across all local hospitals.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, based in the United States, issued a tsunami warning for the southern coast of Java and the nearby Christmas Island. Police on Christmas Island—an Australian territory—reported no casualties or property damage.
India also issued a tsunami warning for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which were affected by the 2004 tsunami, but officials stated that a tsunami is unlikely to occur there. The Maldives, located southwest of India, also issued a similar warning.
On May 27, a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck the city of Yogyakarta in Java, resulting in nearly six thousand deaths.
(Photo: VNN)
Vietnam Linh
