Indonesia – West Java earthquake/tsunami 0106

Earthquake-triggered tsunami hits Indonesia's Java island

Geneva, 18 July 2006--An earthquake of magnitude 7.2 struck off the southwest coast of Java on July 17, triggering a two-meter wave that crashed into the southern coast of Indonesia’s Java island. Reports differ at the moment, but according to Indonesia’s Health Ministry, casualties currently stand at 201 dead and 295 injured. Rescue workers warn that many more people may be buried under the rubble left in the wake of the tsunami.

The epicenter of the quake was 620 kilometers south of Ciamis, West Java, and was 33 kilometers below sea level. Quakes could be felt in Jakarta, Surabaya (East Java), Kebumen (Central Java), Bandung and Sukabumi (West Java).

The resort town of Pangandaran seems to have been the hardest hit, and at least 127 people have been killed there. Many of the mostly wooden houses along Pangandaran beach were destroyed, and people living in the coastal area of Pangandaran have been ordered to evacuate in case of aftershocks and the possibility of more tsunamis. In Kebumen, more than 450 fishing boats have been reported missing. The communications infrastructure for the area is also down.

ACT member YAKKUM Emergency Aid (YEU-ACT) reports that Parangtritis, Yogyakarta is also affected, and three people are reported to have died. However, material loss is minor in this area.

ACT member Yayasan Tanggul Bencana di Indonesia (YTBI-ACT) has made contact with the Sundanese Protestant Church (GKP) in Bandung and is planning to conduct a rapid needs assessment in the area for possible emergency relief.

ACT member Church World Service Indonesia (CWSI-ACT), together with YEU-ACT, is on its way to Kebumen, central Java to carry out a rapid assessment. CWS staff are equipped with mineral water and biscuits to distribute to survivors. One of YEU-ACT’s staff, who is originally from Kebumen, is co-ordinating with the Pondok Pesantren (Muslim School). Another joint emergency team (with the three ACT members in Indonesia) will soon arrive in Pangandaran to conduct a needs assessment. YAKKUM’s hospital unit, Immanuel Klampok Hospital, is also sending a medical team to Pangandaran.

As all ACT members are in the process of assessing the situation, a request for ACT Rapid Response Funds or an appeal is expected.