Strong earthquake jolts Maluku islands

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)