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)