Earthquake triggered tsunami in Indonesia kills 23, more than 160 missing (Xinhua say 380+ missing)

[Turborama]

Source: AP Via Today Online (Singapore) & Xinhua

Disaster officials say the number of people killed in a tsunami off western Indonesia has climbed to 23 with at least 167 villagers still missing.

The 10-foot (three-meter) -high wave was triggered by a 7.7-magnitude quake, which struck 13 miles (20 kilometers) beneath the ocean floor late Monday. It washed away hundreds of houses in two coastal villages on Pagai and Silabu, part of the remote and sparsely populated Mentawai island chain.

Ade Edward, a disaster management agency official, said casualty figures were just starting to trickle in.

So far 23 bodies have been found and at least 167 people remain missing.

Indonesia, the world's largest archipelago, is prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity due to its location on the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire.

Read more: http://www.todayonline.com/BreakingNews/EDC101025-0000232/Earthquake-triggered-tsunami-in-Indonesia-kills-23,-more-than-160-missing

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Indonesia declares emergency response in tsunami-hit area

10/26/2010 18:21:25 (Jakarta Time)

JAKARTA, Oct. 26 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian government declared an emergency response in the tsunami-affected area of Mentawai isles in West Sumatra within 14 days after the status was declared, an Indonesian senior official said on Tuesday.

After receiving orders from President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who is now on his visit program to China and Vietnam, Indonesian Public Welfare Minister Agung Laksono declared an emergency response. The emergency response is aimed at easing the mitigation efforts towards the victims of the 7.2 magnitude earthquake followed by tsunami on Monday night.

The minister planned to visit the tsunami-stricken area within two days, to bring the relief aid to the victims directly. He said the only possible transport to the tsunami-hit area was by helicopter. "The tide is still high. It would endanger ships carrying relief aid to the victims in Mentawai isles. We have prepared food, blankets, clothes, drinking water for the victims. The social minister has also sent 500 million rupiah (about 50,000 U.S. dollars) of fund to finance the relief efforts," the public welfare minister was quoted by the detik.com as saying.

The latest report said the tsunami and earthquake in Memtawai isles has claimed 40 lives with more than 380 people reported missing, following the 7.2 magnitude earthquake on Monday night.

From: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2010-10/26/c_13576421.htm


The Mentawai Islands are located approximately 100 miles west of the Sumatran port city of Padang, Sumatra. There's 4 main
islands in the chain, with numerous smaller islands surrounding those.

http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2010/s3048908.htm">Up to 10 of the missing are Australian surfers

Related News: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4587922">Major earthquake strikes off Indonesia

Possibly Related News: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4588774">Indonesia on volcano eruption alert




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[jaxx]

1. I hadn't heard about this. The poor people, earthquake, tsuami,

and a volcano ready to erupt. How awful for them.

[snappyturtle]

2. I agree. It's hard to believe the violent weather there. The pictures

are so beautifully tranquil.

[midnight]

3. K&R.

[muriel_volestrangler]

4. Over 100 killed, another 500 missing

Hendri Dori Satoko, a lawmaker in the Mentawai islands, told Metro TV: "Our latest data from crisis centre showed that 108 people have been killed and 502 are still missing."

Health Ministry officials put the number of dead at 113, the Associated Press news agency reported.

Heavy rain is preventing helicopters from accessing the area and boats cannot reach the islands either, because the dock on the island of South Pagai has been completely destroyed.
...
"Ten villages have been swept away by the tsunami," National Disaster Management Agency spokesman Agolo Suparto told AFP.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11626242

[Turborama]

5. Ten villages swept away. 40 dead & 160 missing from 1 village alone. 113 bodies recovered in total

Looks like the numbers are going to keep rising. ;(

[Turborama]

6. Death Toll Rises After Indonesia Tsunami (Article & Video Report - Interview With Witness)

Here: http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Tsunami-In-Indonesia-More-Than-100-Killed-And-More-Than-500-Missing/Article/201010415773784?lpos=World_News_Carousel_Region_0&lid=ARTICLE_15773784_Tsunami_In_Indonesia:_More_Than_100_Killed_And_More_Than_500_Missing

[Rhiannon12866]

7. K&R. Jesus, not again!

Glad to know that you're safe, but my heart goes out to all those affected. What a horrible tragedy... ;( :hug:

[Turborama]

8. I know, it's getting a bit worrisome

There's a LOT of seismic activity at the moment, as you've noticed. We're OK but I do live at the base of an active volcano and each time I see one of these stories I get a little bit more nervous. Only a little bit though...

:hi:

[Rhiannon12866]

9. I remember that Indonesia was the hardest hit by the previous tsunami.

And I think "worrisome" is an understatement, if you live near an active volcano! Yikes! We had a minor earthquake here in Northern NY back in the '80s and people are still talking about it. Stay safe, okay? :hi: :pals:

[Rhiannon12866]

10. NY Times: Indonesia Reels Amid Disasters on Two Fronts

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Indonesian authorities scrambled to deal Wednesday with two deadly disasters after a tsunami and volcanic eruptions struck in separate regions of the vast archipelago.

In the first, rescue workers and fishermen searched for survivors in waters west of Sumatra Island after a powerful earthquake and a resulting tsunami late Monday killed at least 113 people and left hundreds missing, officials said. Thousands more were homeless.

About 800 miles to the east, on the island of Java, thousands of villagers were fleeing multiple eruptions of Indonesia’s most volatile volcano, Mount Merapi, after it began spewing clouds of hot ash in the early evening Tuesday. Twenty-five people have died, and at least 15 people were injured.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/28/world/asia/28indo.html

[Rhiannon12866]

11. Indonesia’s Tsunami, Volcano Death Toll Tops 170

October 27, 2010, 3:37 AM EDT

Oct. 27 (Bloomberg) -- Rescuers searched for survivors of a tsunami in Indonesia’s remote west while aid workers headed for the site of a volcanic eruption as the death toll from the two disasters rose to more than 170.

The toll from the Oct. 25 tsunami that hit the Mentawai Islands off the west coast of Sumatra reached 154 with 400 missing, the West Sumatra Regional Disaster Management Agency said. At least 24 people died in the eruption of Mount Merapi in Central Java.

“The areas are remote and communication is difficult,” Ade Edward, head of operations at the agency, said by phone today. “Our officials over there are supposed to report at least every hour.”

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-10-27/indonesia-s-tsunami-volcano-death-toll-tops-170.html