Strong earthquake jolts Maluku islands
AMBON, Maluku (JP): A strong tremor measuring 6.4 on the Richter Scale jolted the Maluku islands in the early hours of Tuesday, causing panic among residents.
The earthquake, which hit at 12:05 a.m. local time, was centered in the Sea of Seram, some 67 kilometers southwest of Ambon, said Ronny Wattimena, a member of staff at the Ambon Meteorology and Geophysics (BMG) center.
There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties, but the strong earthquake, which lasted for a few seconds, shook buildings and woke up residents, Ronny said.
"The initial quake was followed a few minutes later by a shorter, weaker aftershock, which took place at 12:35 a.m. and measured 5.6 on the Richter Scale," Ronny said.
A further aftershock followed at 4:30 a.m. but everybody was already on alert, he said.
"It seems that there was no damage or casualties in Ambon but we are still awaiting reports from Seram island which is closer to the epicenter," Roni added.
Residents expressed relief that the tremors only lasted for a few moments.
"It struck in the wee hours...when most people were sleeping. People ran outside and we could all see the buildings moving. If it lasted any longer, Ambon would have been flattened," a local journalist said.
Refugees
In a separate development later on Tuesday, Maluku Governor Saleh Latuconsina, Maluku Police chief Brig. Gen. Firman Gani and Ambon Mayor Chris Tanasale visited a refugee camp for Christians in Kusu-Kusu village and another for Muslims in the Waehaong area.
Cries and tears were the order of the day when the entourage met with the refugees who have been living in squalid conditions for nearly 19 months due to the protracted conflict.
"We are deeply concerned about their condition. We want to make sure that all the aid is distributed properly," Latuconisa said, urging the refugees not to be provoked by rumors of renewed attacks.
In North Maluku, a reconciliation attempt began on Monday as both Muslims and Christians met on neutral ground in Lintu Batu in the ravaged Galela district.
Rudy Tindage, a member of the Masehi Injil Church in Halmahera said on Tuesday that the two groups exchanged a nine-year-old Christian girl, Debbie Tumada of Duma village, Galela district, who had been sheltering with a Muslim family, for another girl named Ayu, 4, a Muslim girl from Pupilo village, Tobelo district who has been living with a Christian family since a bloody riot occurred earlier this year.
"Lintu Batu is the safest place for both camps to meet and greet and let go of our misgivings. We can embrace each other here in peace," Mrs. May Luhulima, a local community leader and North Maluku councillor, said. (49/edt)