Indonesian tsunami leaves at least 43 dead after hitting Sunda Strait beaches
At least 43 people have been killed on the Indonesian islands of Java and Sumatra when a tsunami struck areas around the Sunda Strait late on Saturday following a sub-sea landslide caused by a volcano.
According to a statement by the government's Disaster Mitigation Agency, another 584 people had been injured in the incident.
"It was caused by a combination of an undersea landslide resulting from volcanic activity on Anak Krakatau and a tidal wave," disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said.
Hundreds of homes were damaged in the incident and at least two people were missing, Mr Nugroho added.
According to a statement from the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency, "the tsunami hit several areas of the Sunda Strait, including beaches in Pandeglang regency, Serang, and South Lampung".
The tsunami struck about 9.30pm local time, it said.
A spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said the Australian Embassy in Jakarta was making urgent enquiries to determine whether any Australians have been affected by the tsunami.
Indonesian authorities have said they are not aware of any foreigners affected as yet.
Tourist Oystein Lund Andersen was taking photos of the volcano when he said he saw a large wave.
"I had to run, as the wave passed the beach and landed 15 to 20 metres inland," he wrote on Facebook.
"Next wave entered the hotel area where I was staying and downed cars on the road behind it.
"Managed to evacuate with my family to higher ground through forest paths and villages, where we are taken care of [by] the locals."
He said he and his family were unharmed.
Endan Permana, head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency in Pandeglang, told Metro TV that police were providing immediate assistance to victims in Tanjung Lesung in Banten province, a popular tourist getaway not far from Jakarta, as emergency workers had not arrived in the area yet.
"Many are missing," Mr Permana said.
There was initial confusion over the tsunami, with Mr Nugroho initially tweeting that the flooding was the result of extreme tides caused by the full moon.
Mr Nugroho corrected his tweets hours later, confirming it was a tsunami after receiving updated data.
He said the eruption of Krakatau was "not large".
The Sunda Strait between the islands of Java and Sumatra connects the Java Sea to the Indian Ocean.
In September, at least 832 people were killed by an earth quake and tsunami that hit the city of Palu on the island of Sulawesi, which is just east of Borneo.
Krakatau's most recent eruption was in October last year.
© Australian Broadcasting Corporation. All rights reserved.
Comments
Sadly Death Toll up to 168+ now.
This video is pretty crazy
Jesus
No, it is the God of Plates, not to sure what their name is.
This video shows people in the street running ahead of Sunda Tsunami waves.
It shows 3 waves piggybacking through the streetscape.(A lot of power)
[warning](1:35-2:45) It's doubtful the people in this newsreel video survived {R.I.P}
Tsunami beachside dynamics can also be seen in the same time frame
The background reveals the beach/surf with wind increasing ahead of Tsunami
Watch the 3 wave set strike beach thrusting it upward 4-5 metres
Look closer as in between 2 paths of devastation is safe haven
Amazingly people continue to stroll the esplanade without a care.
It seems in this case the beach/sand acted as a braking mechanism.
Other accounts describe the wave being over 2.5mtrs crashing over resort pool.
The link below reports Tsunami reaching 5-6 metres high but less uptown damage.
News update/wave action/Oz PM response/comprehensive coverage {R.I.P}
https://www.news.com.au/technology/environment/50magnitude-earthquake-fo...
It is a tragedy but I suspect it would have been much worse if the tsunami and been directly aimed at Lampung Bay. If you have ever been to the Krakatoa monument in Bandar Lampung you will know how the triangular bay funnelled the tsunami from the 19th century eruption, getting bigger as the bay narrowed, until it hit the city and wiped it out.
(Correction)
Youtube video Published by Blue Global 22/Dec/2018 (Linked above)
The "timed" footage was called out to be extra shots from Palu 28/Sept/2018
truebluebasherz above relating comments must be confined to that time & place.
My unreserved apology to swellnetonians & people of recent tragedy.
'Blue Global' prides to be YouTube authority on Sunda Tsunami
'Blue Global' is sadly misinforming all including myself to then lead you astray.
I openly thank... Central Intelligence Agency for (You Tube) correction some 4hrs ago.
Example of what not to do in a crisis.
Should I give 'Blue Global' a 2nd chance? This is their scoop!
Emerging story is USGS (U.S. Geological Service)has near been shut down by Trump.
Tsunami/Earthquake Alert info is not forthcoming due to Trump's Wall Dummy Spit.
Some are pushing this point to explain lack of warning.
Reply is that unusual machinations skirted warning systems. (This ain't over!)
Reports are becoming clear that only 75 of 8032 USGS staff are posted globally.
In case of disasters 450 staff were to be available but USGS are not responding.
Readers understand that this part of the world is primarily measured by USGS.
Volcanologists say it's endangering lives as this story unfolds....
https://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/entry/us-geological-survey-unable-to-p...
I was on a Panaitan boat in August. Krakatau was banging it’s lungs out for the whole 10 days...clearly audible even when we were shielded by the body of Panaitan to the north of us..
That whole coastline facing Krakatau is the worst possible sitting duck, it would take a few minutes max for a tsunami to traverse the strait.
I hope the local crew and their families are okay. A very sad situation.