VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

 Head of Center for Data Information and Public Relations of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said at 1 p.m. local time, death toll from the tsunami in Sunda Strait reached 430.

"A total of 430 people died, and the number could continue to climb, as the SAR team had been focusing on its operations in the south, specifically in the sub-district of Sumur. At the moment, the worst impact is still felt in Pandeglang," Sutopo noted at a press conference at BNPB in Jakarta on Wednesday.

The agency also noted that until the fourth day after the Sunda Strait tsunami, 1,495 people were injured, 159 people were missing, and 21,991 people were displaced due to the disaster that struck on Saturday night (Dec 22).

The tsunami that hit at around 9:30 p.m. local time affected five districts, including Pandeglang and Serang in Banten Province as well as South Lampung, Pesawaran, and Tanggamus in Lampung Province. Of the five districts, the worst impact was felt by Pandeglang district, with 290 people dead, 1,143 people injured, 77 people missing, and 17,477 people displaced.

In South Lampung district, 113 people died, 289 were injured, 14 missing, and 4,200 individuals were displaced.

In Serang, 25 people died, 62 were injured, 68 were missing, and 83 were displaced, while in Pesawaran, there was one fatality, one was injured, and 231 were displaced, whereas one person died in Tanggamus.

Hence, the emergency response period is being applied for 14 days for Pandeglang District, from December 22, 2018, to January 4, 2019, while in South Lampung, the emergency response period is applicable for seven days, on Dec 23-29.

"There is a possibility of the period being extended, depending on how the situation develops on the field. Recommendations are being gathered from the BMKG and PVMBG, while local governments are in charge of evacuation processes and the BNPB, ministries, Police, and Army will support and strengthen the evacuation measures," he revealed.

The possibility of the period being extended later will be adjusted according to the on-field conditions. Recommendations can be obtained from BMKG and PVMBG, while the regional government will have authority in the evacuation process, while BNPB, ministries and institutions, TNI/Police, and others will strengthen evacuation operations," he added.(ant)

The death toll of tsunami and high waves that hit some coasts in Sunda Strait, particularly in South Lampung, as well as Pandenglang and Serang in Banten has reached 43 people, according to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency.

The Head of Information Data Center of the Agency Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said in a statement here on Sunday, data collected until 7.00 a.m. local time showed that the tsunamis and high waves killed 43 people, injured 584 people, and two people are missing.
Antara News Agency reported, the natural disasters also heavily damaged 430 houses, nine hotels, and dozens of boats. The number of refugees is still calculated.

Pandeglang is the most severely affected area. Data collected from Pandeglang District show that 33 people died and 491 people are injured.

The areas affected by the disaster are settlements and tourist areas along some beaches of Tanjung Lesung, Sumur, Teluk Lada, Penimbang and Carita.

There were many tourists on the beach along Pandeglang when the high waves hit the areas.
Whereas in South Lampung there are seven people died, 89 people are injured and 30 houses are severely damaged. Meanwhile, in Serang there are three people died, four people are injured and two people are missing.

According to Sutopo, information and data is still being collected. It is possible that the number of victims and damage will continue to increase.

He said the emergency actions will be continued. The emergency response status and emergency response organizational structure, establishment of emergency posts, public kitchens and other facilities are being prepared.

Heavy equipment has also been mobilized for evacuation and emergency actions.
The Agency urges people not to do activities around coasts and beaches at the moment.
The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency and the Geological Agency are still conducting studies to find out the exact causes of the tsunamis and high waves, and the aftershocks possibility.(ant)