Indonesia earthquake: At least 162 people were killed after powerful earthquake struck Indonesia’s main island of Java on Monday. Hundreds were injured as buildings shook in the capital Jakarta, 60 miles away. Many people were believed to be still trapped beneath the rubble and authorities feared the death toll could increase.
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The magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck near the city of Cianjur, which is one of the most disaster-prone districts in Indonesia. Hundreds of buildings collapsed. Landslides triggered by the quake prevented many people from reaching the city’s main hospital.
Jaishankar condoles deaths
Indian external Affairs Minister S Jaishankar condoled the loss of lives. “Saddened to hear news about the loss of life and property in Java, Indonesia from the earthquake,” Jaishankar said on Twitter. “My thoughts are with the bereaved families. Wish the injured a speedy recovery. India stands in solidarity with Indonesia at this difficult time,” he said.
Meanwhile, emergency workers continued to look for people trapped in the debris. However, rescue efforts were hampered because the hospital itself was damaged and had lost electrical power, said Herman Suherman, a government official in Cianjur.
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More doctors required
“This is overwhelming,” Suherman said and added that the hospital was seeking services of more doctors to treat the injuries. He also sought restoration of power immediately. He said that many people, unable to reach the main hospital, were being treated wherever they were injured.
As evening fell, West Java governor Ridwan Kamil said 162 people had died, but the police in Cianjur said that the number of fatalities was likely to increase as rescuers reached those trapped.
“So many buildings crumbled and shattered,” Kamil said. “There are residents trapped in isolated places, so we are under the assumption that the number of injured and deaths will rise with time.”
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