PANGANDARAN, Indonesia, July 18 - A tsunami triggered by a strong
undersea earthquake off the coast of Indonesia's Java island on Monday killed
105 people, swept away buildings and damaged hundreds of fishing boats,
officials and witnesses said.
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Indonesian survivor searches for his relatives among 41 bodies at
Pangandaran public health centre in West Java July 18, 2006.
[Reuters] |
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News of
the disaster spread panic across a region still recovering from a tsunami less
than two years ago in which nearly 230,000 people were killed or reported
missing, mostly in Indonesia. But there were no reports of casualties or damage
in any other country from Monday's tsunami.
"There are 105 people dead from 10 regencies, 148 people are injured and 127
still missing," said Putu Suryawan, the official at the Indonesian Red Cross
disaster centre, adding that 2,875 people had been displaced from their homes.
"Possibly this number could rise because many people are still missing."
Waves up to 1.5 metres (five feet) high crashed into Pangandaran beach near
the town of Ciamis, 270 km (170 miles) southeast of Jakarta, killing 46 people
in Ciamis and another 46 in the central Java port of Cilacap, Suryawan said.
Another Red Cross official, Fitri Sidikah, said around 650 fishing boats had
been damaged. "We are going to send body bags, tents and other equipment," she
said.
A local official, Rudi Supriatna Bahro, told Metro TV up to half a kilometre
(550 yards) from the beach was affected by the tsunami, with flimsily
constructed buildings flattened. "We need tents, food and medical aid."
In the Pangandaran medical clinic in the early hours of Tuesday morning,
several victims' bodies were laid out on the floor covered by cloth. A police
officer told Reuters TV there were about 40 bodies in all in the clinic.
A 40-year-old Belgian tourist called Ian, who did not give a last name, said
he was in a bar when suddenly water rushed in, knocking him unconscious. He woke
up in the clinic, he said.
"I was drinking at the bar. The sea wall came after me ... I was thinking
this is the end," said Ian.
