Indonesian search and rescue teams continued their efforts on Wednesday to locate any survivors of the Monday afternoon 5.6-magnitude earthquake that rocked Cianjur in West Java.
Suharyanto, the head of the disaster service, told reporters on Tuesday night that 151 people were still missing and that rescuers will go through every scrap of debris from demolished structures in an effort to find them.
At least 268 people were killed and more than 1,000 more were wounded by the earthquake.
More than 58,000 individuals were left homeless, and 22,000 homes were destroyed.
Children who were in school when the earthquake struck Indonesia’s most populated province made up a large portion of the fatalities.
My daughter Nur Alika was still in school when the earthquake hit, according to Ayu Rahayu, who spoke to VOA.
“He was the last student to leave the class in a panic, according to her pals, who spoke to me.
She was crushed by the building’s debris.
Since the earthquake hit us at 2 p.m., I have been looking for her.
At six o’clock that evening, I discovered her in the emergency room outside of this hospital.”
First grader Nur Alika, age 7, attends Cianjur’s Benjod Elementary School.
he has severe head and eye injuries.
VOA also encountered Dede at the same emergency station in the Cianjur hospital parking lot (one name only).
When it suddenly began to shake, fall, and flatten to the ground, my wife and kids were inside, said Dede.
“Salmatu Sa’adah, my youngest child, who is 4 years old, suffered severe wounds.
She was holding a fractured hand.
Her head is covered in blood.”
Despite just having minor wounds, Dede’s wife and first kid chose to remain in the open field in the Cianjur hospital parking lot.
Dede said, “We have nowhere else to go; our home collapsed, so we can’t go home.
The governor of West Java, Ridwan Kamil, acknowledged that kids made up the majority of the casualties.
“Because the earthquake happened when the kids were in school or at a madrasa, we’re really worried (Islamic boarding school).
We’ll track down anyone remaining unaccounted for “Kamil stated.
The governor also called attention to the area’s shoddy public and educational infrastructure.
Why Was Indonesia’s Shallow Earthquake So Deadly, Explainer?
On his Tuesday visit to Cianjur, Indonesian President Joko Widodo gave personnel the directive to “prioritize in identifying and evacuating those that are still trapped under the wreckage.”
In addition, he urged them to enter places that are still inaccessible as a result of landslides brought on by the earthquake. Use the helicopter if you can’t travel by land, advised Jokowi.
The president also commanded that all public buildings and homes be repaired right away.
VOA
