Death toll rises dramatically
in Indonesia's tsunami disaster
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| An Indonesia woman identifies a body in Carita, in the district of Pandeglang in Banten province.-AFP |
In Indonesia, rescue teams continue to look for survivors
after a tsunami struck coastal districts of Java and Sumatra, At least 370
people are dead,
By Alastair Wanklyn
The tsunami followed the partial collapse of a volcano off
the coast. One side of the mountain slid into the sea, pushing a wave towards
the shore.
The tsunami destroyed hundreds of homes. Many victims
drowned, others were crushed by timber and metal. And when the water receded it
pulled an unknown number of people out to sea.
Many survivors are now homeless. A representative on one
island nmearby said hundreds of survivors are cut off. They need food and
medicine, the official said.
Indonesia's meteorological agency said further tsunamis are
possible. Thousands of survivors fled the coast, jamming roads that were
already partially blocked with debris.
In the regional capital of Serang, Catholics attended Mass
on Christmas Eve and prayed for the victims.
The nation's president, Joko Widodo visited the
area. He told disasters agencies to upgrade warning systems.
Indonesia has seismic monitors in areas where tectonic
plates meet. But experts say it is difficult to monitor the risk of tsunamis
from offshore volcanoes.
This volcano, on the island of Krakatau, has triggered
tsunamis many times. When it first erupted in the 1880s waves killed tens of
thousands of people.He told disasters agencies to upgrade warning systems.
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