OCHA Situation Report No. 2
Indonesia: Sidoarjo Gas Pipe Explosion
24 November 2006


This report is based on information received from the UN 
Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator's Office in Jakarta and on information 
provided by the National Coordinating Board for the Management of 
Disasters (BAKORNAS PB), the Provincial Coordinating Unit for the 
Management of Disasters (SATKORLAK PB) East Java, the Indonesian Red 
Cross (PMI), UNICEF East Java, and media reports including the East Java 
Information and Communications Office, Sidoarjo district.

I.  SITUATION

1. BAKORNAS PB reported until today 11 deaths and one person still 
missing as a consequence of the gas pipe explosion on the night of 
Wednesday 22 November.  Hot mud and the risk of toxic gas after the 
explosion hindered the search.

2. The Minister for Energy and Mineral Resources was quoted as saying 
that the National Mudflow Mitigation Team plans to strengthen the 
destroyed embankment, relocate the toll road, railway tracks and the 
pipeline, and build another spillway to anticipate the rising mudflow 
during the rainy season.

II. NATIONAL RESPONSE

1. The Search and Rescue Team (SAR) from Malang East Java, in 
collaboration with the Surabaya National Search and Rescue Agency, 
Taruna Siaga Bencana (Tagana - Department of Social Affairs Rapid 
Response Team), Military and Police personnel, continue searching one 
missing person.

2. The Government of Indonesia (GoI) has declared the Sidoarjo mudflow 
as an emergency case, after a special cabinet meeting led by President 
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono yesterday.  The President instructed complete 
closure of the disaster zone, which includes the mudflow area and nearly 
440 hectares, and further instructed BAKORNAS PB to coordinate efforts 
to handle the Sidoarjo mudflow.

3. The BAKORNAS PB Deputy for Disaster Management confirmed ongoing 
coordination with the National Mudflow Mitigation Team. The GoI will 
heighten and strengthen the embankment, repair the roads, and accelerate 
the work of channeling the mud to the Porong River in anticipation of 
the rainy season.

III. INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE

1. The UN RC/HC Office in Jakarta continues monitoring the situation, in 
close contact with pertinent government and non-governmental 
institutions, and PMI.  So far, the GoI has not requested any 
international assistance.

Telephone: +41-22-917 12 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officer:
  Mr. Meier, Direct Tel. +41-22-917 1159
  Mr. Rene Nijenhuis, Direct Tel.  +41-22-917 1815

Press contact:
  GVA - Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, Direct Tel. +41-22-917 26 53
  NYC - Ms. Stephanie Bunker, Direct Tel. +1-212-963 87 40

Field Office: Indonesia
  Mr. Abdul Haq Amiri, Direct Tel. +62 213141308
  Mr. Titi Moektijasih, Direct Tel. +62 213141308

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