Region:
Asia
Category:
Society

Indonesia tsunami kills hundreds after Krakatau eruption

  • Anak Krakatau volcano: Indonesia 'volcano tsunami' kills hundreds
    The tsunami waves struck at night without any warning, destroying hundreds of buildings. Anak Krakatau volcano: Indonesia 'volcano tsunami' kills hundreds
  • Anak Krakatau volcano: Indonesia 'volcano tsunami' kills hundreds
    The tsunami waves struck at night without any warning, destroying hundreds of buildings. Anak Krakatau volcano: Indonesia 'volcano tsunami' kills hundreds
  • Anak Krakatau volcano: Indonesia 'volcano tsunami' kills hundreds
    The tsunami waves struck at night without any warning, destroying hundreds of buildings. Anak Krakatau volcano: Indonesia 'volcano tsunami' kills hundreds
  • Anak Krakatau volcano: Indonesia 'volcano tsunami' kills hundreds
    The tsunami waves struck at night without any warning, destroying hundreds of buildings. Anak Krakatau volcano: Indonesia 'volcano tsunami' kills hundreds
Region:
Asia
Category:
Society
Publication date:
Print article

A tsunami killed at least 222 people and injured hundreds on the Indonesian islands of Java and Sumatra following an underwater landslide believed caused by the erupting Anak Krakatau volcano

Hundreds of homes and other buildings were “heavily damaged” when the tsunami struck, almost without warning, along the rim of the Sunda Strait late on Saturday, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesman for the disaster mitigation agency, said.

Thousands of residents were forced to evacuate to higher ground. By 1040 GMT, the disaster agency had raised the death toll to 222 from 168, with 843 injured and 28 missing.

TV images showed the seconds when the tsunami hit the beach and residential areas in Pandeglang on Java island, dragging with it victims, debris, and large chunks of wood and metal.

Coastal residents reported not seeing or feeling any warning signs, such as receding water or an earthquake, before waves of 2-3 meters (6-10 feet) washed ashore, according to media.

Authorities said a warning siren went off in some areas.

The timing of the tsunami, over the Christmas holiday season, evoked memories of the Indian Ocean tsunami triggered by an earthquake on Dec. 26 in 2004, which killed 226,000 people in 14 countries, including more than 120,000 in Indonesia.