POWERFUL QUAKE ROCKS JAVA
900 homes, govt buildings damaged
AT least three people have been killed following a strong 6.5 magnitude earthquake in Java, an official said yesterday.
The quake struck at a depth of 91km just outside the coastal town of Cipatujah on Friday, the United States Geological Survey said. The tremor was felt across the island, including in capital here, 300km from the epicentre.
A 62-year-old man in Ciamis and an 80-year-old woman in Pekalongan city were killed when the buildings they were in collapsed, National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said, while a 34year-old woman from Yogyakarta died when she fell while running out of her house.
“Several hospitals in several areas have also been damaged and patients had to be evacuated.”
A hospital in Banyumas suffered damage to ceilings, cracked walls and leaks to oxygen pipelines, forcing around 70 patients to be evacuated.
At least 900 houses were also damaged in addition to schools and government offices across west Java and central Java provinces.
Jakarta resident Web Warouw, 50, was on the 18th floor of a building here when the quake struck near midnight. “Suddenly, we felt dizzy... We then realised it was a quake and ran downstairs.”
Aid is being distributed and temporary tents have been set up for those who have lost their homes. The agency was still evaluating the impact of the disaster and urged people to be cautious and stay alert.
Page 1 pic: Patients being evacuated from a hospital in Banyumas, Java, after an earthquake yesterday. EPA PIC