Tsunami destroys Irian Jaya homes

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: A tsunami hit the village of Anus village in Bonggo subdistrict here Saturday evening leaving 200 people homeless.

Antara reported yesterday that at least 50 houses were leveled by the tsunami.

Anus village, located 189 kilometers west of Jayapura, faces the Pacific Ocean.

Jayapura regent, Jan Pieter Karafir, said he has deployed a team to inspect the damages in the village.

The local administration since last year has been urging the provincial resettlement office to resettle the 100 families living in Anus village as it is prone to tidal waves, but the office reportedly has yet to respond. (mds)