An earthquake on the Indonesian main island of Java has left devastation and despair around the town of Cianjur. The death toll had risen to 268 on Tuesday afternoon (local time), the national civil protection service said. Emergency services were still searching for more than 150 people missing in the rubble and under mudslides. Using excavators and dump trucks, they were digging accesses to areas closed off by landslides.
Many schoolchildren were among the victims. “Most of the victims are children because they were still in school at 1 p.m.,” said Henri Alfiandi, head of the National Rescue Agency. The work is arduous, landslides and rough terrain hampered rescue efforts. More than 1,000 people were injured, more than 58,000 were left homeless, and more than 22,000 homes were destroyed.
President Joko Widodo visited the disaster area on Tuesday and promised financial support for those affected. It is especially important to quickly rescue those who are still buried. Earthquake-resistant construction standards would need to be applied during reconstruction, as earthquakes would occur repeatedly in the island nation, he warned.
The earth on the ring of fire does not give rest
A strong earthquake rocked the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific on Tuesday. The magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck at noon (local time) near the town of Malango in Guadalcanal province at a depth of about 15 kilometers. A tsunami warning caused fear and panic – but it was lifted after a few hours.
There were initially no reports of deaths, injuries or major destruction in the Solomon Islands, but local media said there would be damage to buildings. Many people tried to get away from the coasts to higher ground. Malango is less than 40 kilometers southwest of the capital Honiara. Authorities advised the population to remain cautious even after being safe, as aftershocks are to be expected. The Solomon Islands, with a population of about 700,000, are located east of New Guinea.
More than 100 aftershocks
The earthquake had a magnitude of 5.6, according to the Geophysics and Meteorology Agency. The epicenter was in the city of Cianjur at a depth of about ten kilometers. At least one village was buried in a landslide caused by the earthquake. There were more than 100 aftershocks in total. The quake was still felt in the capital Jakarta, 75 kilometers away.
Indonesia is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, the most geologically active zone on Earth. The volcanic belt surrounds the Pacific Ocean on three sides. There are regular volcanic eruptions, but also violent earthquakes and seaquakes.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
