A magnitude 5.6 earthquake shook the province of West Java, the most populous in the Southeast Asian archipelago, reported the AFP news agency. The latest balance of victims, announced on Wednesday by suraryantothe head of the disaster management department, is from 271 dead, 40 missing and more than 2,000 injured.
“More than a third of the victims are kidsdue to the collapse of several schools“said the official, who like many Indonesians only has a name, without giving a precise figure.
Heavy rains and new earthquake aftershocks slowed down this Wednesday the operations of search for survivors in a dozen towns, where more than 20,000 houses were left destroyed.
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earthquake aftershock
A 3.9 magnitude aftershock triggered panic among several displaced people who fled their shelters on Wednesday morning, AFP news agency journalists observed.
“Two of the farthest towns are still isolated“, explained Henri Alfiandihead of the relief service, in a video posted on social media. “People there can’t even ask for help”specified and indicated that they were sent to the area three helicopters. The villagers follow caught upwithout water or electricity, and some must sleep with their deaddescribed.
The urgent need of the inhabitants
In the towns closest to Cianjur, the inhabitants try to recover among the ruins family photos, religious books and marriage certificates two days after the disaster their homes were destroyed.
“We have food aid, but it is not enough. We have rice, instant noodles and mineral water, but it’s not enough,” he explained. mustafa, 23 years old, a resident of the town of Gasol. The young man searched the rubble of his neighbor’s house, at his request. He then returned with a pile of clothes, rice, a gas stove, and pans. “We have no clothes and we haven’t changed for days”he warned.
“We need help”read signs posted in front of damaged houses and tents in the village of Talaga.
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More than 58,000 people were displaced by the quake, the disaster management agency reported. The government deployed several thousand military and police officersand provided food aid Y tentsbut the needs are immense.
Yunisa Yuliani, 31, explained that there is nothing in the place anymore. “My son has a fever and can’t eat. There are many elderly and children who need milk, diapers, food and medicine.”
The inhabitants of Cianjur began to bury their relatives according to the islamic rites after they were allowed to retrieve his remains at the morgues.
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In the midst of the disaster, a couple victims of the earthquake regained hope on Wednesday. mimin52 years old, and her husband rosyid67, were digging up the rubble of their home in the hope of finding a two gram gold ring.
They pulled clothes from the rubble, felt and shook them until they saw the shining jewel, which is all they have left. “Thank God! I found the ring!”Mimin yelled with joy.
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The risks of a new earthquake
The authorities warned of the risk of a new natural disaster. During the rainy season, which began and will end in decemberthe archipelago is prone to ground slides and Flash floods. In this sense, the meteorological services announce stormswhich are potentially dangerous After an earthquake.
Located in the “fire belt” of Peacefulwhere are the tectonic platesIndonesia regularly faces earthquakes either Volcanic eruptions.
Source: Ambito
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