Irian Jaya esrthquake death toll rises to 96<\/p>\n
JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya (JP): At least 96 people are dead, 49
\nmissing and 44 critically injured in the aftermath of the Feb. 17
\nmajor earthquake in Irian Jaya's Biak Numfor regency, relief
\nworkers said yesterday.<\/p>\n
Second Sergeant Purwantoro of the relief aid coordination unit
\nin Biak told The Jakarta Post by telephone that about 2,000
\nhouses were destroyed.<\/p>\n
The tidal waves triggered by the quake measuring 7.0 on the
\nopen-ended Richter scale also destroyed 92 clinics, 75 places of
\nworship, 67 village halls, 47 shops and eight bridges.<\/p>\n
Maj. Eski, also from the relief aid coordination unit, added
\nthat the number of victims and the extent of the damage could be
\nmuch larger.<\/p>\n
He said the relief operation has been hampered by bad weather
\nsince the quake struck at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday.<\/p>\n
\"Disease and hunger loom large because badly needed food and
\nmedicine cannot be brought in owing to the bad weather,\" Eski
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
High waves, strong winds and collapsed piers have prevented
\nboats from approaching the Biak islands. The Dobonsolo ferry
\ncarrying relief aid from Jayapura failed to dock at Biak because
\nof the bad weather, heading for Manokwari instead.<\/p>\n
Relief aid workers reported a severe fuel shortage, which
\nthreatens to cripple the power supply and transportation system
\non the island.<\/p>\n
The worst-hit areas were the Korem and Supriori fishing
\nvillages on the north coast, where the quake and tidal waves
\nwiped out practically all buildings.<\/p>\n
The quake and waves also hit the Yapen Waropen regency south
\nof Biak Numfor.<\/p>\n
Antara reported that at least three people were killed in the
\nregency and several hundred families lost their homes.<\/p>\n
Eski said that Biak Numfor needs helicopters to deliver food,
\nmedicine and tents.<\/p>\n
\"Communication with affected areas has been cut off, making it
\nimpossible to get a complete picture of the actual situation. We
\nhave received reports that eastern villages were also destroyed,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Jakarta's failure to send in medical aid has enraged Biak
\nNumfor regent Amandus Mansnembra.<\/p>\n
\"We badly need medical personnel to help the victims,\" he told
\nAntara.<\/p>\n
He said the natural disaster has raised worries about possible
\noutbreak of disease due to the scarcity of clean water and
\nmedical aid.<\/p>\n
He said in the worst hit village of Korem, decaying cattle,
\nfish and human bodies have started to smell. \"This will bring on
\ndisease if not properly handled,\" he warned.<\/p>\n
The regent asked provincial government officials in Jayapura
\nto send aid and open health centers in Korem.<\/p>\n
Residents of the affected areas have also urged Jakarta to
\ndeclare the calamity a national disaster, and hope the central
\ngovernment will take over the relief program.<\/p>\n
The absence of communication facilities has made it impossible
\nfor relief workers to check on the situation in the dozens of
\nsmaller islands located near the epicenter.<\/p>\n
Meteorology officials located the quake's epicenter at 63
\nkilometers under the seabed in the Pacific Ocean, some 110
\nkilometers east of Biak.<\/p>\n
The meteorology office in Jayapura has recorded 204
\naftershocks measuring between three and five on the Richter scale
\nsince Feb. 18.<\/p>\n
Yesterday, four-meter waves struck Irian Jaya's main island
\nnorth of Jayapura, but there was no word on damage.<\/p>\n
The frequent aftershocks have triggered fear in Biak of
\nanother major earthquake. Residents have spent five days outside
\ntheir houses in tents. (Binny Buchori\/pan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/irian-jaya-esrthquake-death-toll-rises-to-96-1447893297",
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