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| Hundreds dead and 'many missing' in Java and Sumatra after tsunami – as it happened | |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| We’re wrapping up the blog for the evening. Here’s a summary of what has happened. | We’re wrapping up the blog for the evening. Here’s a summary of what has happened. |
| At least 222 people have been killed and 843 injured after a tsunami hit the coast of Indonesia’s Sunda Strait. | At least 222 people have been killed and 843 injured after a tsunami hit the coast of Indonesia’s Sunda Strait. |
| Twenty-eight people are missing and authorities expect the death toll to rise as many affected areas have not yet been reached. | Twenty-eight people are missing and authorities expect the death toll to rise as many affected areas have not yet been reached. |
| The tsunami hit at about 9.30pm on Saturday night, Indonesian time, which is around 2.30pm GMT. There was no pre-warning given. | The tsunami hit at about 9.30pm on Saturday night, Indonesian time, which is around 2.30pm GMT. There was no pre-warning given. |
| The tsunami is thought to have been caused by the eruption of the Anak Krakatoa volcano, which may have triggered underwater landslides. | The tsunami is thought to have been caused by the eruption of the Anak Krakatoa volcano, which may have triggered underwater landslides. |
| Indonesia’s disaster management agency said 556 houses, nine hotels, 60 culinary stalls and 350 boats were known to have been damaged. | Indonesia’s disaster management agency said 556 houses, nine hotels, 60 culinary stalls and 350 boats were known to have been damaged. |
| Aid agencies are helping to evacuate the injured and bring in clean water, tarpaulins and provide shelter. The Red Cross said they were preparing for the possibility of diseases breaking out in the tsunami zone. | Aid agencies are helping to evacuate the injured and bring in clean water, tarpaulins and provide shelter. The Red Cross said they were preparing for the possibility of diseases breaking out in the tsunami zone. |
| Here is today’s full report into the disaster. | Here is today’s full report into the disaster. |
| Pope Francis has prayed for the victims of the tsunami that struck Indonesia, the Associated Press reports. Francis told tourists and pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday that his thoughts were with Indonesia’s people, “struck by violent natural calamities,” and said he was spiritually close to those left homeless or otherwise suffering. | Pope Francis has prayed for the victims of the tsunami that struck Indonesia, the Associated Press reports. Francis told tourists and pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday that his thoughts were with Indonesia’s people, “struck by violent natural calamities,” and said he was spiritually close to those left homeless or otherwise suffering. |
| Here is some more analysis of why the tsunami came without warning. | Here is some more analysis of why the tsunami came without warning. |
| Prof Dougal Jerram from the University of Oslo said: | Prof Dougal Jerram from the University of Oslo said: |
| Tsunamis can be caused by volcanically induced landslides above or below water, and by volcanic eruptions themselves. Unlike tsunamis caused by earthquakes, such volcanically induced tsunamis may not trigger warning systems that are designed to alarm after large quakes, and thus may provide little warning, unless observed directly or detected by other devices such as wave buoy warning systems. Particularly when the volcano in question, as with Anak Krakatau, is already active and displaying activity such that its eruption is not a new or a surprise event. | Tsunamis can be caused by volcanically induced landslides above or below water, and by volcanic eruptions themselves. Unlike tsunamis caused by earthquakes, such volcanically induced tsunamis may not trigger warning systems that are designed to alarm after large quakes, and thus may provide little warning, unless observed directly or detected by other devices such as wave buoy warning systems. Particularly when the volcano in question, as with Anak Krakatau, is already active and displaying activity such that its eruption is not a new or a surprise event. |
| Dr Simon Boxall from the National Oceanography Centre and University of Southampton said: | Dr Simon Boxall from the National Oceanography Centre and University of Southampton said: |
| There will be an outcry as to why an early warning system didn’t kick in. The same criticism was levelled after the September Palu tsunami which killed 2,000 people. These tsunamis are very localised and to cover the Indian Ocean with sufficient sensors to warn against all such eventualities would require many thousand buoys on the network. In shallow water the energy of the tsunami is quickly dispersed and so in this case the wave didn’t travel as far from source as the very destructive 2004 Boxing Day tsunami which occurred in the deep ocean. | There will be an outcry as to why an early warning system didn’t kick in. The same criticism was levelled after the September Palu tsunami which killed 2,000 people. These tsunamis are very localised and to cover the Indian Ocean with sufficient sensors to warn against all such eventualities would require many thousand buoys on the network. In shallow water the energy of the tsunami is quickly dispersed and so in this case the wave didn’t travel as far from source as the very destructive 2004 Boxing Day tsunami which occurred in the deep ocean. |
| At least 222 people have been killed and 843 injured after a tsunami hit the coast of Indonesia’s Sunda Strait. | At least 222 people have been killed and 843 injured after a tsunami hit the coast of Indonesia’s Sunda Strait. |
| Twenty-eight people are missing and authorities expect the death toll to rise as many affected areas have not yet been reached. | Twenty-eight people are missing and authorities expect the death toll to rise as many affected areas have not yet been reached. |
| The tsunami hit at about 9.20pm on Saturday night. There was no pre-warning given. Here is an explanation as to why that was. | The tsunami hit at about 9.20pm on Saturday night. There was no pre-warning given. Here is an explanation as to why that was. |
| The tsunami is thought to have been caused by the eruption of the Anak Krakatoa volcano, which may have triggered underwater landslides. People have been warned to stay away from the coast due to fears of another tsunami. | The tsunami is thought to have been caused by the eruption of the Anak Krakatoa volcano, which may have triggered underwater landslides. People have been warned to stay away from the coast due to fears of another tsunami. |
| Sutopo Purwo Nugroho from Indonesia’s disaster management agency said that 556 houses, nine hotels, 60 culinary stalls and 350 boats were known to have been damaged. | Sutopo Purwo Nugroho from Indonesia’s disaster management agency said that 556 houses, nine hotels, 60 culinary stalls and 350 boats were known to have been damaged. |
| Aid agencies are at the scene. The Red Cross is on site in some of the worst affected areas of Pandeglang, Lampung and Serang. An Oxfam assessment team is going to the Strait today to gather more information about what has happened and what they can do. | Aid agencies are at the scene. The Red Cross is on site in some of the worst affected areas of Pandeglang, Lampung and Serang. An Oxfam assessment team is going to the Strait today to gather more information about what has happened and what they can do. |
| Indonesian rock band Seventeen were midway through a performance in a tent at Tanjung Lesung beach resort in west Java when the wave hit and obliterated the stage, dragging the musicians and audience members with it. The band’s bassist and road manager both died, while four other band members are still missing. | Indonesian rock band Seventeen were midway through a performance in a tent at Tanjung Lesung beach resort in west Java when the wave hit and obliterated the stage, dragging the musicians and audience members with it. The band’s bassist and road manager both died, while four other band members are still missing. |
| Two academics explain why it is difficult to create effective early warning systems for tsunamis like this. Prof David Rothery, professor of Planetary Geosciences at the Open University, said: | Two academics explain why it is difficult to create effective early warning systems for tsunamis like this. Prof David Rothery, professor of Planetary Geosciences at the Open University, said: |
| Anak Krakatau, the volcano on the site of Krakatau (Krakatoa) that was destroyed by the devastating eruption of 1883, has not suddenly come to life as some reports have implied. It has been erupting continually throughout much of this year, as part of the process of volcanic regrowth. | Anak Krakatau, the volcano on the site of Krakatau (Krakatoa) that was destroyed by the devastating eruption of 1883, has not suddenly come to life as some reports have implied. It has been erupting continually throughout much of this year, as part of the process of volcanic regrowth. |
| In 1883, over 30,000 of the deaths were caused by the tsunami resulting from the explosive destruction of the former volcano. Today’s tsunami appears to have been caused by an underwater collapse of part of the new island and that has been forming as the volcano grows. | In 1883, over 30,000 of the deaths were caused by the tsunami resulting from the explosive destruction of the former volcano. Today’s tsunami appears to have been caused by an underwater collapse of part of the new island and that has been forming as the volcano grows. |
| Tsunami warning buoys are positioned to warn of tsunamis originated by earthquakes at underwater tectonic plate boundaries. Even if there had been such a bout right next to Anak Krakatau, this is so close to the affected shorelines that warning time would have been minimal given the high speeds at which tsunami waves travel. | Tsunami warning buoys are positioned to warn of tsunamis originated by earthquakes at underwater tectonic plate boundaries. Even if there had been such a bout right next to Anak Krakatau, this is so close to the affected shorelines that warning time would have been minimal given the high speeds at which tsunami waves travel. |
| Dr Ilan Kelman, from the Institute for Global Health and Institute for Risk and Disaster Reduction at University College London, said: | Dr Ilan Kelman, from the Institute for Global Health and Institute for Risk and Disaster Reduction at University College London, said: |
| The tragedy in Indonesia shows the ever-present challenges we face in developing warning systems for hazards like tsunamis. It must be a continual process of working with people at risk to determine possible future threats and how quickly everyone could be informed and act when one manifests. With the short timeframes we see here, we have a lot of work to do with those directly affected for improving warning systems to save lives. | The tragedy in Indonesia shows the ever-present challenges we face in developing warning systems for hazards like tsunamis. It must be a continual process of working with people at risk to determine possible future threats and how quickly everyone could be informed and act when one manifests. With the short timeframes we see here, we have a lot of work to do with those directly affected for improving warning systems to save lives. |
| The Associated Press reports more witness accounts. | The Associated Press reports more witness accounts. |
| “I had to run, as the wave passed the beach and landed 15-20m (meters, or 50-65 feet) inland,” Norwegian Oystein Lund Andersen wrote on Facebook. The self-described photographer and volcano enthusiast said he was taking pictures of the volcano when he saw a big wave come toward him. | “I had to run, as the wave passed the beach and landed 15-20m (meters, or 50-65 feet) inland,” Norwegian Oystein Lund Andersen wrote on Facebook. The self-described photographer and volcano enthusiast said he was taking pictures of the volcano when he saw a big wave come toward him. |
| “Next wave entered the hotel area where I was staying and downed cars on the road behind it,” he wrote. “Managed to evacuate with my family to higher ground (through) forest paths and villages, where we are taken care of (by) the locals. Were unharmed, thankfully.” | “Next wave entered the hotel area where I was staying and downed cars on the road behind it,” he wrote. “Managed to evacuate with my family to higher ground (through) forest paths and villages, where we are taken care of (by) the locals. Were unharmed, thankfully.” |
| In the city of Bandar Lampung on Sumatra, hundreds of residents took refuge at the governor’s office. At the popular resort area of Carita beach, some survivors appeared lost. | In the city of Bandar Lampung on Sumatra, hundreds of residents took refuge at the governor’s office. At the popular resort area of Carita beach, some survivors appeared lost. |
| Azki Kurniawan, 16, said he was undergoing vocational training with a group of 30 other students at Patra Comfort Hotel when people suddenly burst into the lobby yelling, “Seawater rising!” He said he was confused because he did not feel an earthquake, but ran to the parking lot to try to reach his motorbike. By the time he got there, it was already flooded. | Azki Kurniawan, 16, said he was undergoing vocational training with a group of 30 other students at Patra Comfort Hotel when people suddenly burst into the lobby yelling, “Seawater rising!” He said he was confused because he did not feel an earthquake, but ran to the parking lot to try to reach his motorbike. By the time he got there, it was already flooded. |
| “Suddenly a one-metre (3.3-foot) wave hit me,” he said. “I fell down, the water separated me from my bike. I was thrown into the fence of a building about 30 metres (100 feet) from the beach and held on to the fence as strong as I could, trying to resist the water, which feels like it would drag me back into the sea. I cried in fear ... ‘This is a tsunami?’ I was afraid I would die.” | “Suddenly a one-metre (3.3-foot) wave hit me,” he said. “I fell down, the water separated me from my bike. I was thrown into the fence of a building about 30 metres (100 feet) from the beach and held on to the fence as strong as I could, trying to resist the water, which feels like it would drag me back into the sea. I cried in fear ... ‘This is a tsunami?’ I was afraid I would die.” |
| The UK Labour party leader, Jeremy Corbyn, has said his thoughts are with those affected by last night’s tsunami. | The UK Labour party leader, Jeremy Corbyn, has said his thoughts are with those affected by last night’s tsunami. |
| My thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones and all the people of Indonesia. Solidarity with the emergency service personnel, hospital staff and everyone working to save lives after last night's tsunami hit the Sunda Strait. | My thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones and all the people of Indonesia. Solidarity with the emergency service personnel, hospital staff and everyone working to save lives after last night's tsunami hit the Sunda Strait. |
| David Lipson, ABC’s Indonesia correspondent, had been tweeting pictures and video from the tsunami zone. | David Lipson, ABC’s Indonesia correspondent, had been tweeting pictures and video from the tsunami zone. |
| Three tourists died at this beachfront hotel. #tsunami pic.twitter.com/I0zzBoxfTG | Three tourists died at this beachfront hotel. #tsunami pic.twitter.com/I0zzBoxfTG |
| Must have been a nice hotel once #tsunami pic.twitter.com/999aOPihJh | Must have been a nice hotel once #tsunami pic.twitter.com/999aOPihJh |
| We’ve just arrived in the tsunami zone. Stay tuned to @abcnews for the latest pic.twitter.com/1z1sr6sH7Y | We’ve just arrived in the tsunami zone. Stay tuned to @abcnews for the latest pic.twitter.com/1z1sr6sH7Y |
| Here is the latest update from Sutopo Purwo Nugroho from Indonesia’s disaster management agency, announcing the revised higher death toll. | Here is the latest update from Sutopo Purwo Nugroho from Indonesia’s disaster management agency, announcing the revised higher death toll. |
| Jumlah korban dan kerusakan akibat tsunami di Selat Sunda per 23/12/2018 pukul 16.00 WIB tercatat 222 orang meninggal dunia, 843 orang luka-luka & 28 orang hilang. Kerusakan fisik: 556 unit rumah rusak, 9 unit hotel rusak berat, 60 warung kuliner rusak, 350 kapal-perahu rusak. pic.twitter.com/7esz00fnD7 | Jumlah korban dan kerusakan akibat tsunami di Selat Sunda per 23/12/2018 pukul 16.00 WIB tercatat 222 orang meninggal dunia, 843 orang luka-luka & 28 orang hilang. Kerusakan fisik: 556 unit rumah rusak, 9 unit hotel rusak berat, 60 warung kuliner rusak, 350 kapal-perahu rusak. pic.twitter.com/7esz00fnD7 |
| Here is a translation from Google Translate: “The number of victims and damage due to the tsunami in the Sunda Strait as of 23/12/2018 at 16.00 WIB recorded 222 people died, 843 people were injured & 28 people were missing. Physical damage: 556 housing units were damaged, 9 hotel units were damaged, 60 culinary stalls were damaged, 350 boats were damaged.” | Here is a translation from Google Translate: “The number of victims and damage due to the tsunami in the Sunda Strait as of 23/12/2018 at 16.00 WIB recorded 222 people died, 843 people were injured & 28 people were missing. Physical damage: 556 housing units were damaged, 9 hotel units were damaged, 60 culinary stalls were damaged, 350 boats were damaged.” |
| A statement from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said that volunteers from the Indonesian Red Cross in Pandeglang were on the ground providing first aid after the tsunami struck late on Saturday evening. | A statement from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said that volunteers from the Indonesian Red Cross in Pandeglang were on the ground providing first aid after the tsunami struck late on Saturday evening. |
| Twenty staff and volunteers are now responding to people’s immediate needs, helping rescue survivors and recover bodies, and assessing the situation in coordination with government authorities | Twenty staff and volunteers are now responding to people’s immediate needs, helping rescue survivors and recover bodies, and assessing the situation in coordination with government authorities |
| The Red Cross has dispatched relief goods from its regional warehouse in Banten including water, tarpaulins, cleaning equipment (shovels, axes), family and hygiene kits. | The Red Cross has dispatched relief goods from its regional warehouse in Banten including water, tarpaulins, cleaning equipment (shovels, axes), family and hygiene kits. |
| The Red Cross continues to respond and will provide further assistance based on the assessments currently under way. | The Red Cross continues to respond and will provide further assistance based on the assessments currently under way. |
| Media advisory: #RedCross in action after #Indonesia tsunami near #Krakatoa https://t.co/5SCFbWyfaP | Media advisory: #RedCross in action after #Indonesia tsunami near #Krakatoa https://t.co/5SCFbWyfaP |