Indonesia - Earthquake OCHA Situation Report No. 1 05 May 2000
1. A strong earthquake hit the eastern part of Sulawesi island and neighbouring small islands in Indonesia on 4 May 2000. According to the United States Geological Survey, the earthquake measured 7.3 on the Richter scale with the epicentre situated at latitude 0.9 degrees south and longitude 123.4 degrees east. It occurred at 04.21 hrs GMT, or 12.21 hrs local time. Several aftershocks and a tidal wave reportedly followed the quake. 2. Initial media reports indicate that the earthquake caused serious damage in the area close to the epicentre. The number of casualties is still unclear but according to one media report, 22 people have been killed and 21 people seriously injured. Over 1,000 houses have been destroyed by the quake or swept away by the tunami. Some villages along the eastern tip of Sulawesi, and others on small, outlying islands, have reportedly been flattened. Since rescue teams have not been able to reach isolated areas, the death toll is likely to rise. 3. The Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Jakarta is in close contact with the relevant governmental authorities to obtain information on the disaster. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is in touch with the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator and will revert with further information if the situation warrants it. 4. No request for international assistance has been received by OCHA to date. 5. This situation report, together with further information on ongoing emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at http://www.reliefweb.int Telephone: +41-22-917 1234 Fax: +41-22-917 00 23 In case of emergency Tel. +41-22-917 20 10 only: Desk Officers (OCHA Ms. S. Metzner-Strack / Disaster Response Branch) Mr. R. Mueller / Mr. S. : Matsuka direct Tel. +41-22-917 21 44 / 31 31 / 40 34 Press contact: Mr. Donato Kiniger-Passigli, direct Tel. +41-22-917 26 53 distributed by - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Volunteers in Technical Assistance Disaster Information Center lists: www.vita.org/listsub.htm sitreps nat-dsr web: www.vita.org fireline - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -