Indonesia Update
29 September, 2007
On 12 September, a massive undersea earthquake of 8.4 magnitude hit the Indonessian island of Sumatra at 6.10pm Indonesian time (GMT+7 hrs). The centre of the quake was in the ocean south of the Mentawai Islands, 105 km off the coast from the town Bengkulu. Tsunami warning was issued, but later withdrawn. At least 10 persons died, dozens were injured, and more than 130 buildings and homes collapsed. Over 4,000 buildings developed cracks and damages to various degrees. A series of big aftershocks followed, many of them of magnitude greater than 6.00 on the Richter Scale.
I was unable to reach Brother T, who is at the village of T, on the island of Siberut. I managed to contact someone who operates a boat service between T village and Muara Siberut, the main town on the island. He said all the residents in T village were gathered up on the hill, in case a tsunami was triggered by the quake. About 300 houses on the islands of Pagai Utara and Pagai Selatan, farther south, collapsed. Another man I contacted said 10 families in his congregation in Muara Siberut have been made homeless when their houses collapsed. They are now staying in tents. A total of about 30 houses collapsed.
On 23 September, Brother T sent a second message to say that his house and church building at T village are not damaged. At B, the interior village where a church is being planted, three houses collapsed. The other houses – all made of wood, bamboo and thached leaves – are damaged, many of them leaning. He appeals for aid to be sent to them. Our church has channeled RM1,000 to Brother Tâs account to help the people in B village. Contributions are welcome. Enquiries may be made by email. I am planning a visit but cannot be certain of the dates, with so much happening and needing attention.