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NEWS VISION -March 2007
March 8, 2007: A powerful earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale, struck Padang, capital of West Sumatra province, 900 kilometres west of Jakarta on Tuesday, March 6. At least 70 people have been reported dead and hundreds injured in this unfortunate calamity.
Children and families seeking refuge at temporary shelters. The earthquake destroyed hundreds of homes, buildings, public infrastructure and telecommunications systems. (Photo by Reuters). |
Officials said the death toll is expected to rise in the coming days as many are feared to be trapped under the rubble. Currently, the injured victims are receiving medical attention at government hospitals in Padang.
Usman Fadli, World Vision Indonesia’s Humanitarian Emergency Affairs staff flew to Padang on March 7, Wednesday morning to assess the situation and prepare the possible aid for the victims.
Following the earthquake, two rounds of tremors were felt in Singapore, sending hundreds of people out of their office skyscrapers into the streets in panic when the ground started to tremble.
Indonesia, an archipelago of some 17,000 islands, sits on the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, where continental plates meet - and where earthquakes are a regular and often deadly occurrence.
It was also the nation worst hit by the earthquake-triggered Indian Ocean tsunami in December 2004, which killed some 168,000 people in Aceh province on the northern tip of Sumatra.
In May 2006, Some 5,800 people were killed and 33,000 others injured in a massive quake that rocked Java island. And two months later, yet another quake on Java killed more than 600.
Four World Vision Indonesia staff survived and managed to escape from the burning plane after its crash landing on March 7 in Yogyakarta, one day after the West Sumatra earthquake.
The staff described their horror as the passenger plane belonging to the Indonesian state airline, Garuda, burst into flames on landing in the city of Yogyakarta, Java, causing panic among the estimated 133 passengers on board.
Santi Hendra WV Indonesia Finance Officer said, “The landing was so bad, and suddenly fire came out and we jumped out of the emergency exit. We were all sitting next to the emergency exit. We were 200 metres away from the plane when it burst into flames.”
The four World Vision staff members, Jimmy Nadapdap, Ronald Gunawan, Ruth Panggabean and Santi Hendra werelrushed to hospital for immediate medical attention.
Latest reports indicate 30 people have died in the crash and many more were rushed to the local hospital, Bethesda. The airport was temporarily closed for two hours and flights diverted, but have since reopened.
Trihadi Saptoadi, World Vision Indonesia National Director, “We’re so thankful that our staff survived, but our hearts go out to those who have lost their loved ones and our thoughts and prayers are with the families.”
“The crash comes after a particularly difficult few months following the floods in Jakarta, yesterday’s earthquake in Sumatra and last year’s Yogyakarta quake – our staff are going from one disaster to another,” added Trihadi.
World Vision appeals for prayers for the victims in Indonesia or if you wish, you can help us increase relief supplies.
To find out how you can donate, log on to www.worldvision.org.sg today.
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