Indonesia earthquake kills four
- 00:00:40
- ITN
Indonesia earthquake kills four
A series of powerful earthquakes off the coast of West Papua have killed at least four people. A magnitude 7.6 quake struck 100 miles northeast of Manokwari in the Indonesian half of the island of New Guinea, and several smaller quakes followed. Buildings were flattened in West Papua but BP said a natural gas project close to the area was not affected. The quake triggered a small tsunami that hit the Japanese coast but there was no damage, Japan's Meteorological Agency said. The Indonesian authorities also issued a tsunami warning for Papua, but lifted it shortly afterwards. Manokwari, with a population of about 161,000, is in a remote, sparsely-populated part of Papua which attracts tourists thanks to its diving sites, wildlife including birds of paradise, and spectacular scenery. Priyadi Kardono, spokesman for the disaster management centre, said that the health ministry had confirmed four deaths from the quakes, while several buildings were damaged. "Two hotels collapsed, Mutiara Hotel and Kali Dingin Hotel. Two bank buildings, a storage of (national logistics agency) Bulog, and the official house of the head of the regency were also damaged," Mr Kardono said. "There were no casualties from Kali Dingin Hotel and three trapped victims inside the Mutiara Hotel have been rescued," he said, adding that about a thousand people had gathered at locations in the town seeking shelter.
ITN | January 4, 2009
