TUAPEJAT (SUMBAR) Number of victims of the earthquake and tsunami in the Mentawai reach at 112 lives and 502 people missing. It is estimated the death toll will continue to grow. Most of the victims are in South Pagai Island, which seems the most heavily affected.
Meanwhile, emergency response is expected to arrive Wednesday afternoon. YTBI plans to send out its own assessment team Thursday morning. YTBI team has trouble finding transportation to Mentawai and the ship is available on Thursday morning.
Earthquake Strucks Mentawai Isle, West Sumatra
Regions Mentawai, West Sumatra, Monday (25/10), at around 21:42 hit by an earthquake measuring 7.2 on the Richter scale. So far, the quake did not cause damage to buildings or casualties.
Tuesday (26/10) morning, aftershocks are still happening with the intensity of a downward trend. Aftershocks that start with about 6 on the Richter scale continued to decline in intensity. Head of Earthquake and Tsunami Disaster Mitigation, Moch Riyadi, said, "If we look at the trend is declining."
In Mentawai Islands
Meanwhile, Berni and Yeni, volunteers YTBI in the Mentawai Islands, informing, Monday night, after the earthquake had occurred two-meter-high tsunami. They also mentioned the population had fled to safe places. Meanwhile, on Tuesday morning, they had returned to their homes and began cleaning the house.
The latest news received via telephone that is done by YTBI staff in Jakarta with the chairman of GKPM Synod (Protestant Christian Church in Mentawai), Rev. P Simanjuntak Sikakap Island (26/10, 11:05 pm), there are several bridges cut off, one of them is a bridge in Sibaybay. He also reported that the houses on the beach under water 2.0 meters by the Tsunami last night. Chairman of the Synod heard that Muntey Baraubaru village in North Pagai destroyed by the Tsunami last night. However, because the bad weather due to rain and the waves is not possible to assess the location, therefore the GKPM Synod plans to survey the location affected by the earthquake and tsunami tomorrow 27/10.
In addition there are several more areas in the Mentawai Islands affected by this earthquake. In Sipora Bosua coast, water got into the villages and caused one person missing. While in South Pagai, Malakopak, water rose up to 600 meters and led to one person missing. A resort in Makaronis, Silabu North Pagai, swept away by high waves.
Local government of Mentawai Islands provides two speedboats with a passenger capacity of 10 people, for the purposes of assessment. Mentawai Islands Regent allows any NGO to go to the Mentawai Islands.
National SAR Agency this afternoon went to Mentawai Islands.
Padang Pariaman and surrounding areas
Meanwhile in Padang Pariaman, east of the Mentawai Islands, the quake was also felt strong. YTBI staffs who still work in YTBI office in Padang Pariaman, West Sumatra, also reported that they had to leave the office empty, evacuate to a higher location, to avoid and be aware of the dangers of tsunamis. YTBI representative office which will operate until December 2010 in Padang Pariaman is located near the beach, which is approximately 100 meters from the beach.
"Since there is a tsunami warning at around 22:00, we were evacuated to higher ground. Approximately two hours we waited to return to the office, even though a tsunami warning has been withdrawn, "said Minar Kartika Panjaitan, one of the staff YTBI.
The YTBI staff last night kept on guard until morning. Fear continues to include them. Residents in the vicinity of the office YTBI continue to be vigilant and on guard, too. Minar also said if in the city of Padang, West Sumatra's capital, there are many accidents because people are there on the coastal are panic to flee to higher ground.
"Today (26/10), we have prepared the standby bag containing clothes and other essential goods. Just in case something happens again, so we're ready, "she added via telephone.
Source: YTBI
Mari Bantu Saudara-Saudari Kita di Mentawai dan Merapi
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