Death toll in Indonesian tsunami rises to more than 1,000
(Baonghean.vn) - According to Indonesian officials, the death toll from the tsunami that occurred on the evening of December 22 around the Sunda Strait, located between Sumatra and Java islands, has now risen to 222 people, while more than 800 others were injured.
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| The death toll from the tsunami that occurred on the evening of December 22 has now risen to 222 people. Photo: Getty |
Indonesian Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho confirmed 222 people were killed, 843 were injured and 28 others were still missing.
The official said the number could continue to rise as rescue work is still ongoing, many medical centers have yet to report, and data from affected locations is still being updated.
Hundreds of homes and other structures were destroyed in the disaster. Authorities ordered thousands of people to evacuate to higher ground. Local residents said they did not feel or see any signs of the approaching tsunami, which was estimated to be 2 to 3 meters high.
According to the Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the tsunami occurred at 9:30 p.m. on December 22, seriously affecting areas such as the Sunda Strait, including beaches in Pandeglang, Serang and South Lampung.
According to BMKG, the eruption of the Anak Krakatoa volcano 30 minutes earlier caused an underwater landslide, along with an erratic high tide, which led to this tsunami disaster.
Anak Krakatoa is one of 127 active volcanoes in Indonesia. This eruption also produced a 500 meter high ash column.
Police are currently assisting victims in Tanjung Lesung in Banten province, known as a famous tourist destination not far from the capital Jakarta, as rescue forces have not been able to reach the area./.