Rescuers were working into the night to try to save others thought to still be trapped under collapsed buildings…reports Asian Lite News
At least 162 people were killed and hundreds more injured as a 5.6 intensity earthquake shook Indonesia’s main island of Java on Monday, reports said.
The quake struck Cianjur town in west Java, at a depth of 10 km, according to US Geological Survey data.
The area where the quake struck is densely-populated and prone to landslides, with the makeshift houses reduced to rubble in many areas, the BBC reported.
Rescuers were working into the night to try to save others thought to still be trapped under collapsed buildings.
Regional Governor Ridwan Kamil said 162 people were killed, over 700 injured, and more than 13,000 people displaced by the disaster, the BBC reported.
He apprehended that the numbers of injuries and fatalities were likely to increase because there were “a lot of people” still trapped at the scene.
Earthquakes are common in Indonesia, which sits on the “ring of fire” area of tectonic activity in the Pacific, with a 2018 quake in Sulawesi leaving over 2,000 dead.
EAM expresses solidarity with Indonesia
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday expressed solidarity with Indonesia over the loss of lives in an earthquake and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
He said that India stands in solidarity with Indonesia and its thoughts are with the bereaved families. “Saddened to hear news about the loss of life and property in Java, Indonesia from the earthquake. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. Wish the injured a speedy recovery. India stands in solidarity with Indonesia at this difficult time,” Jaishankar tweeted.
At least 46 people died in an earthquake that hit Indonesia’s main island Java on Monday, Channel News Asia reported citing an Indonesian government official.
On Monday morning, a shallow 5.4 magnitude earthquake hit Indonesia’s western province of West Java, stated the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
The earthquake’s epicentre was on land in Cianjur, about 75km southeast of Jakarta, and at a depth of 10km. According to CNA citing several reports, about 700 people were injured in the West Java town.
“The latest data showed that 46 people were killed. Victims kept coming from many areas. Around 700 people were injured,” Herman Suherman, the head of the administration in Cianjur, told broadcaster Kompas TV.
He also earlier told another local broadcaster, Metro TV, that many of the injured “had fractures from being trapped by the ruins of buildings”.
Java is a volcano-dotted island that lies between Sumatra and Bali. It is situated at the geographic and economic centre of Indonesia. (ANI)
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