Irian Jaya esrthquake death toll rises to 96

Irian Jaya esrthquake death toll rises to 96

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya (JP): At least 96 people are dead, 49
missing and 44 critically injured in the aftermath of the Feb. 17
major earthquake in Irian Jaya's Biak Numfor regency, relief
workers said yesterday.

Second Sergeant Purwantoro of the relief aid coordination unit
in Biak told The Jakarta Post by telephone that about 2,000
houses were destroyed.

The tidal waves triggered by the quake measuring 7.0 on the
open-ended Richter scale also destroyed 92 clinics, 75 places of
worship, 67 village halls, 47 shops and eight bridges.

Maj. Eski, also from the relief aid coordination unit, added
that the number of victims and the extent of the damage could be
much larger.

He said the relief operation has been hampered by bad weather
since the quake struck at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday.

"Disease and hunger loom large because badly needed food and
medicine cannot be brought in owing to the bad weather," Eski
said.

High waves, strong winds and collapsed piers have prevented
boats from approaching the Biak islands. The Dobonsolo ferry
carrying relief aid from Jayapura failed to dock at Biak because
of the bad weather, heading for Manokwari instead.

Relief aid workers reported a severe fuel shortage, which
threatens to cripple the power supply and transportation system
on the island.

The worst-hit areas were the Korem and Supriori fishing
villages on the north coast, where the quake and tidal waves
wiped out practically all buildings.

The quake and waves also hit the Yapen Waropen regency south
of Biak Numfor.

Antara reported that at least three people were killed in the
regency and several hundred families lost their homes.

Eski said that Biak Numfor needs helicopters to deliver food,
medicine and tents.

"Communication with affected areas has been cut off, making it
impossible to get a complete picture of the actual situation. We
have received reports that eastern villages were also destroyed,"
he said.

Jakarta's failure to send in medical aid has enraged Biak
Numfor regent Amandus Mansnembra.

"We badly need medical personnel to help the victims," he told
Antara.

He said the natural disaster has raised worries about possible
outbreak of disease due to the scarcity of clean water and
medical aid.

He said in the worst hit village of Korem, decaying cattle,
fish and human bodies have started to smell. "This will bring on
disease if not properly handled," he warned.

The regent asked provincial government officials in Jayapura
to send aid and open health centers in Korem.

Residents of the affected areas have also urged Jakarta to
declare the calamity a national disaster, and hope the central
government will take over the relief program.

The absence of communication facilities has made it impossible
for relief workers to check on the situation in the dozens of
smaller islands located near the epicenter.

Meteorology officials located the quake's epicenter at 63
kilometers under the seabed in the Pacific Ocean, some 110
kilometers east of Biak.

The meteorology office in Jayapura has recorded 204
aftershocks measuring between three and five on the Richter scale
since Feb. 18.

Yesterday, four-meter waves struck Irian Jaya's main island
north of Jayapura, but there was no word on damage.

The frequent aftershocks have triggered fear in Biak of
another major earthquake. Residents have spent five days outside
their houses in tents. (Binny Buchori/pan)