Mud threatens quake-hit town

Mud threatens quake-hit town

UJUNGPANDANG, S. Sulawesi (JP): Following Sunday's earthquake,
mud has started to spew from the earth, threatening the well-
being of residents of Pinrang regency, some 200 kilometers north
of here.

The mud gushed out of cracks in the earth caused by the quake
in areas including Jl. Abdullah, Jl. Ahmad Yani, Jl. Cempaka, Jl.
Melati and Lasinrang soccer field.

The Meteorology and Geophysics Agency detected yesterday 16
more tremors in the neighboring towns of Parepare and Sidrab. The
sporadic minor quakes discouraged residents, who sought safety in
open spaces, from returning home. Many fled to other towns.

Local authorities called on residents to remain vigilant.

Business activities came to a halt because of widespread
fright.

Search and rescue workers found yesterday two more bodies in
Pinrang, the area closest to the quake's epicenter, bringing the
death toll to 18.

The latest casualties were identified as Vonny Hao, 52, and
Ramli, 65. Vonny died of a heart attack, while Ramli died a few
hours after receiving medical treatment.

Others killed in the earthquake, which measured 6.4 on the
Richter scale, include Subaedah, 43, Yusnarui, 40, Arifin, 48,
Indo Upe, 50, Boruga, 50, Chandra 42, Leo Hari T, 49, and Indo
Djuma, 40.

As of yesterday, nine people in Pinrang died in the
earthquake, another eight in Parepare and one in Sidrab. They
were buried yesterday.

Rescue workers continued searching for other victims among the
rubble of wrecked buildings yesterday.

Some 600 buildings were damaged in the quake, causing Rp 6.6
billion (US$2.1 million) in losses. Pinrang suffered an estimated
Rp 4.6 billion in damages.

Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Azwar Anas visited
yesterday 33 injured people who were receiving medical treatment
at Sumantri and Fatima hospitals in Parepare and Lasinrang
hospital in Pinrang.

South Sulawesi Vice Governor Masnawi A.S. accompanied Azwar
during the visit. Governor Z.B. Palaguna was on duty in Jakarta.

Meanwhile, chief of the provincial military command, Col.
Harry Kosasih, said the security authorities had dispatched 300
personnel to bring relief to the victims. (30/31/37)