Tag: Indonesia News

Two powerful earthquakes hit Indonesia in one day, killing at least 38

Posted on by Leave a comment

A 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck eastern Indonesia on Saturday killed at least 38 people, a disaster management official said, revising an earlier toll. A second, 6.4-magnitude quake struck the country’s western Sumatra island laterm according to the U.S. Geological Survey. “Thirty-eight people have been confirmed dead, two were seriously injured, 11 sustained minor injuries, and approximately 2,000 people have evacuated on their own,” National Disaster Mitigation Agency chief Suharyanto told a news conference, referring to the first earthquake. Authorities issued a tsunami warning and urged coastal residents to move to higher ground, but later lifted the warning when Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency said monitoring showed no significant sea-level changes that would pose a threat to coastal communities.

The U.S Geological Survey said the quake hit Indonesia’s Flores region at 5:58 a.m. local time. Its epicenter was 42 miles north-northwest of the city of Ende in East Nusa Tenggara province. The initial quake was followed by several aftershocks. The head of the Maumere Search and Rescue Agency, Fathur Rahman, said rescuers have recovered at least 20 bodies in the three devastated regencies of Sikka, West Manggarai, and East Manggarai, including eight bodies that were pulled from a landslide in the village of Reok in Manggarai. Six people were rushed to nearby hospitals with severe injuries. He said rescuers were still searching for two villagers believed to be buried under tons of mud that tumbled down from the surrounding hills in a landslide triggered by the quake. East Nusa Tenggara Police Chief Rudi Darmoko said the earthquake caused severe damage and collapsed buildings. He said power outages in cities and villages have hampered the flow of information and complicated search and rescue efforts.

“We are continuing to collect reports of damage and casualties, but there are communication disruptions,” Darmoko said. He said that landslides in Ende regency triggered by the earthquake also cut off the Trans-Flores highway, a roughly 435-mile paved mountain road spanning Flores Island, from Labuan Bajo to Larantuka.   Footage on local television showed patients at several hospitals being evacuated from buildings as a precaution following the quake. Hospital staff moved equipment outdoors, including beds, IV stands and oxygen cylinders, and set up temporary treatment areas to adapt to emergency conditions. The National Disaster Management Agency deployed a helicopter to assist with logistics and support emergency response operations, including possible evacuations if needed, the agency said in a statement.

The air support is considered crucial given East Nusa Tenggara’s geography, which consists of numerous islands and presents significant transportation and access challenges. It said about 2,000 villagers in Nagekeo regency fled their homes to temporary shelters.

Source: Two powerful earthquakes hit Indonesia in one day, killing at least 38 – CBS News

I spread out my hands to You; My soul longs for You like a thirsty land.
Psalm 143:6

Finding Strength in God

You don’t have to carry this alone, He is your safe place and your help in every moment of need.  Bible Verse:God is our Refuge and Strength [mighty and…

Keep reading

Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.

Volcano erupts in Indonesia, killing at least 3 hikers in an off-limits area, police say

Posted on by Leave a comment
close up shot of an erupting volcano

Three hikers — two Singaporeans and a local — who were in an off-limits area died Friday in an eruption of Indonesia’s Mount Dukono volcano, officials said. Several others were missing. The eruption on Halmahera island sent an ash cloud about 6 miles into the air, but no towns or villages were close enough to face any immediate threat. Twenty hikers were on the slopes when disaster struck, North Halmahera police chief Erlichson Pasaribu told reporters at a volcano monitoring station in Mamuya village. Nine were from Singapore and the rest were Indonesian, he said.”To date, 15 climbers have safely descended,” Erlichson said several hours after the early-morning eruption.

The bodies of the deceased were still on the mountain, he added, without elaborating on the whereabouts of the other two hikers.

“Due to ongoing eruptions, the situation is still considered unsafe for evacuation. So, the joint team is still waiting for the right time to begin the search,” Erlichson said.

Some of the hikers suffered minor injuries and were taken to a hospital for treatment.

The group’s guide and a porter were taken to the police station and could face criminal charges for taking hikers into a prohibited area, the police chief added.

Source: Volcano erupts in Indonesia, killing at least 3 hikers in an off-limits area, police say – CBS News

He who walks uprightly, And works righteousness, And speaks the truth in his heart; He who does not backbite with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor does he take up a reproach against his friend.
Psalm 15:2-3

Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.

Powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake in Indonesia’s Molucca Sea kills 1 person, sets off small tsunami

Posted on by Leave a comment
motorcyclist on wet road in lush indonesian landscape

An undersea magnitude -7.4 earthquake toppled buildings in parts of northern Indonesia, sent people fleeing from their homes, killed at least one person and generated a small tsunami Thursday. Waves up to 30 inches above normal tides were recorded at several monitoring stations about a half-hour after the earthquake, which was centered in the Molucca Sea. Indonesia’s meteorological agency lifted its tsunami warning hours after the quake, and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said there was no destructive threat to the country, which is north of the quake’s epicenter.

Strong shaking lasting 10 to 20 seconds was felt in Bitung in North Sulawesi province as well as in Ternate city in neighboring North Maluku province, according to Indonesia’s Disaster Management Agency. Initial assessments showed light to severe damage in parts of Ternate, including a church and two houses. In Bitung, damage assessments were still underway, the agency said. Indonesia’s Search and Rescue Agency reported a 70-year-old woman died in a building collapse in North Sulawesi’s Manado city and another resident was injured. At least three injured people were hospitalized in Ternate.

Source: Powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake in Indonesia’s Molucca Sea kills 1 person, sets off small tsunami – CBS News

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Galatians 3:26-27