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Indonesia tsunami hits Sunda Strait after Krakatoa eruption Indonesia tsunami hits Sunda Strait after Krakatau eruption
(about 1 hour later)
At least 168 people have been killed and 745 injured after a tsunami hit the coast on Indonesia's Sunda Strait, government officials say. At least 168 people have been killed and 745 injured after a tsunami hit coastal towns on Indonesia's Sunda Strait, government officials say.
The country's disaster management agency says hundreds of buildings were damaged by Saturday's tsunami. The tsunami waves struck at night without any warning, destroying hundreds of buildings.
It says the possible cause of the tsunami was undersea landslides after the Anak Krakatoa volcano erupted. Officials say the tsunami could have been caused by undersea landslides after Anak Krakatau volcano erupted.
The strait, between the islands of Java and Sumatra, connects the Java Sea to the Indian Ocean. The Sunda Strait, between the islands of Java and Sumatra, connects the Java Sea to the Indian Ocean.
What is the latest?What is the latest?
The disaster management agency has warned people to stay away from the coastline due to fears of another tsunami.The disaster management agency has warned people to stay away from the coastline due to fears of another tsunami.
Saturday's tsunami struck at about 21:30 local time (14:30GMT), and the death toll is likely to rise further, officials say. Saturday's tsunami struck at about 21:30 local time (14:30GMT), hitting several beaches including the popular Tanjung Lesung beach resort in the west of Java island.
Deaths have been reported in the Pandeglang, Lampung and Serang regions. Deaths have been reported in the Pandeglang and Serang on Java, and Lampung province on Sumatra. Officials fear the death toll could rise further.
The BBC's Rebecca Henschke in Indonesia said there were reports that the death toll in Lampung province alone could be in the hundreds.The BBC's Rebecca Henschke in Indonesia said there were reports that the death toll in Lampung province alone could be in the hundreds.
Among the areas hit was the popular Tanjung Lesung beach resort in west Java. There was no warning of the advancing wave.
Footage shared on social media showed a large wave crashing into a tent in the resort, in which a popular Indonesian rock band, Seventeen, was performing. Members of the band were seen being swept away as the wave destroyed the stage.Footage shared on social media showed a large wave crashing into a tent in the resort, in which a popular Indonesian rock band, Seventeen, was performing. Members of the band were seen being swept away as the wave destroyed the stage.
In an Instagram video, singer Riefian Fajarsyah, said the band's bassist and road manager had died, and that three other band members and his own wife were missing. In a tearful Instagram video, singer Riefian Fajarsyah, said the band's bassist and road manager had died, and that three other band members and his own wife were missing.
The country's Red Cross said it was on the scene and searching for victims in the rubble of one collapsed building. "There is debris littering the ground, crushed cars, crushed motorcycles, we're seeing buildings that are collapsed," Red Cross official Kathy Mueller told the BBC.
It appears that the main road into Pandeglang has been badly damaged, making it difficult for rescuers to reach the area, she added.
Eyewitness Asep Perangkat said "cars were dragged about 10 metres, and so were containers."
"Buildings on the edge of [Carita] beach were destroyed, trees and electricity poles fell to the ground," he told AFP news agency.
Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, national spokesman at Indonesia's disaster agency, tweeted footage of the damage in Lampung.Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, national spokesman at Indonesia's disaster agency, tweeted footage of the damage in Lampung.
'There were two waves''There were two waves'
Oystein Lund Andersen, Norwegian volcano photographer, Anyer Beach in West JavaOystein Lund Andersen, Norwegian volcano photographer, Anyer Beach in West Java
I was on the beach. I was alone, my family were sleeping in a room.I was on the beach. I was alone, my family were sleeping in a room.
I was trying to photograph the erupting Krakatoa volcano. I was trying to photograph the erupting Krakatau volcano.
Earlier in the evening, there was quite heavy eruption activity. But just prior to the waves hitting the beach, there was no activity at all. It was just dark out there.Earlier in the evening, there was quite heavy eruption activity. But just prior to the waves hitting the beach, there was no activity at all. It was just dark out there.
And suddenly I saw this wave coming, and I had to run.And suddenly I saw this wave coming, and I had to run.
There were two waves. The first wave wasn't that strong - I could run from it.There were two waves. The first wave wasn't that strong - I could run from it.
I ran straight to the hotel, where my wife and my son were sleeping.I ran straight to the hotel, where my wife and my son were sleeping.
And I woke them up... and I heard a bigger wave coming. I looked out of the window when the second wave hit. It was much bigger.And I woke them up... and I heard a bigger wave coming. I looked out of the window when the second wave hit. It was much bigger.
The wave passed the hotel. Cars were pushed off the road.The wave passed the hotel. Cars were pushed off the road.
We and other people at the hotel went straight to the forest (on higher ground) next to the hotel. And we're still up on the hill now.We and other people at the hotel went straight to the forest (on higher ground) next to the hotel. And we're still up on the hill now.
- Oystein Lund Andersen was speaking to BBC World News television- Oystein Lund Andersen was speaking to BBC World News television
What might have caused the tsunami?What might have caused the tsunami?
Emergency officials are investigating whether the tsunami was caused by Anak Krakatoa, a volcanic island in the Sunda Strait. Emergency officials are investigating whether the tsunami was caused by Anak Krakatau, a volcanic island in the Sunda Strait.
Volcanologist Jess Phoenix told the BBC that when volcanoes erupt, hot magma pushes underground and can displace and break through colder rock. This can trigger a landslide.Volcanologist Jess Phoenix told the BBC that when volcanoes erupt, hot magma pushes underground and can displace and break through colder rock. This can trigger a landslide.
But because part of Krakatoa is underwater, she said "instead of just causing a landslide, you get an undersea landslide which pushes water as it moves." This can then cause a tsunami. But because part of the volcano is underwater, she said "instead of just causing a landslide, you get an undersea landslide which pushes water as it moves." This can then cause a tsunami.
The Anak Krakatoa volcano has seen increased activity in recent months. The Anak Krakatau volcano has seen increased activity in recent months.
Indonesia's geologic agency said that the volcano erupted for two minutes and 12 seconds on Friday, creating an ash cloud that rose 400 metres (1,300ft) above the mountain.Indonesia's geologic agency said that the volcano erupted for two minutes and 12 seconds on Friday, creating an ash cloud that rose 400 metres (1,300ft) above the mountain.
It recommended that no-one be allowed within two kilometres of the crater.It recommended that no-one be allowed within two kilometres of the crater.
The disaster management agency said that high seas as a result of the full moon may also have contributed to the strength of the waves.The disaster management agency said that high seas as a result of the full moon may also have contributed to the strength of the waves.
Were people warned?Were people warned?
The disaster agency spokesman, Mr Nugroho, initially said the wave was not a tsunami, but a tidal surge, and told the public not to panic.The disaster agency spokesman, Mr Nugroho, initially said the wave was not a tsunami, but a tidal surge, and told the public not to panic.
He later apologised for the mistake, saying there had been confusion because there was no earthquake.He later apologised for the mistake, saying there had been confusion because there was no earthquake.
Meanwhile, earlier on Sunday, a tsunami warning went off by mistake, causing widespread panic.Meanwhile, earlier on Sunday, a tsunami warning went off by mistake, causing widespread panic.
"A tsunami siren in Labuhan Bay in Pandeglang regency started ringing all of a sudden, without any activation from the authorities," Mr Nugroho said."A tsunami siren in Labuhan Bay in Pandeglang regency started ringing all of a sudden, without any activation from the authorities," Mr Nugroho said.
"There was possibly a technical error that made the sirens ring. Lots of people ran to save themselves... tsunami shelters are now packed.""There was possibly a technical error that made the sirens ring. Lots of people ran to save themselves... tsunami shelters are now packed."
How common are tsunamis in Indonesia?How common are tsunamis in Indonesia?
Indonesia is prone to tsunamis because it lies on the Ring of Fire - the line of frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions that circles virtually the entire Pacific rim.Indonesia is prone to tsunamis because it lies on the Ring of Fire - the line of frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions that circles virtually the entire Pacific rim.
In September, more than 2,000 people died when a powerful earthquake struck just off the central Indonesian island of Sulawesi, setting off a tsunami that engulfed the coastal city of Palu.In September, more than 2,000 people died when a powerful earthquake struck just off the central Indonesian island of Sulawesi, setting off a tsunami that engulfed the coastal city of Palu.
On 26 December 2004, a series of huge waves triggered by a powerful earthquake in the Indian Ocean killed about 228,000 people in 14 countries, mostly in Indonesia.On 26 December 2004, a series of huge waves triggered by a powerful earthquake in the Indian Ocean killed about 228,000 people in 14 countries, mostly in Indonesia.
However, tsunamis caused by volcanic activity like this are less frequent.However, tsunamis caused by volcanic activity like this are less frequent.
Krakatoa (Krakatau in Indonesian)Krakatoa (Krakatau in Indonesian)
In August 1883, it underwent one of the most violent volcanic eruptions in recorded history: Anak Krakatau (Child of Krakatau) is a new island that emerged in 1927 from Krakatoa volcano.
In 1927, a new island, Anak Krakatoa (Child of Krakatoa) emerged. In August 1883, Krakatoa underwent one of the most violent volcanic eruptions in recorded history:
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