sunami hits Sunda Strait beaches, leaving scores dead in Indonesia | Extent of damage unfolds after deadly Indonesia tsunami
Hundreds of people have been killed and injured after a tsunami struck tourist beaches and coastal areas around Indonesia’s Sunda Strait on Saturday night.
Officials said at least 222 people were dead and 843 injured after a volcanic eruption thought to have been caused by an underwater landslide sent waves surging towards the coastlines of Java and Sumatra islands.
Indonesia’s disaster management agency said 28 people were still missing and warned the death toll could rise further as not all affected areas had been reached.
The worst affected area was the Pandeglang region of Banten province in Java, which encompasses the Ujung Kulon national park and popular beaches, the agency said.
TV footage show road block by debris from damaged houses, overturned cars and fallen trees. The water washed away an outdoor stage where a local rock band, Seventeen, killing at least one musician.
M.Bintang, who was at Carita beach on the west coast of Java when the wave hit, described a sudden surge of water that plunged the tourist spot into darkness.
The disaster agency said the size of the tsunami may have been exacerbated by an abnormally high tide because of the full moon.
Endan Permana, the head of the national disaster agency in Pandeglang, said police were providing immediate assistance to victims in Tanjung Lesung in Banten province, a popular tourist getaway not far from Jakarta. “Many are missing,” Permana said.
Nugroho said 556 houses, nine hotels, 60 food stalls and 350 boats were known to have been damaged.
“Next wave entered the hotel area where I was staying and downed cars on the road behind it.
Alif, a resident in Pandeglang district who goes by one name, told MetroTV station many people were still searching for missing relatives.
Authorities have warned residents and tourists in coastal areas around the Sunda Strait to stay away from beaches, and a high-tide warning would remain in place until 25 December.
