The activity on the island of Simeulue in Aceh province reportedly began returning to normal Thursday, a day after a major earthquake killed four people, seriously injured dozens of others and the destruction of infrastructure and homes.
Residents who fled to higher ground on Wednesday for fear of a tsunami had returned to their homes, said Medan Air Force base commander Colonel Agus I Putranto on Thursday, after visiting survivors on the island of Simeuleu.
He said that based on aerial surveillance was conducted with the members of the National Coordinating Agency for Disaster Management, the island did not suffer any damage in the earthquake.
"We did not find any major damage in the surveillance, except in the northern part of West Simeuleu, where many buildings, including the district administration office and the police station were damaged," he said.
Asked about the number of victims, Agus said 26 people were seriously injured in western Simeuleu, with the majority still being treated in an open field, while three people were killed and five were wounded in the east of Simeuleu.
He said that the relief aid has yet to arrive in Simeuleu. The Air Force has submitted two aircraft Cassa airlift of aid to affected areas.
Simeuleu Social Zulmufti head office was quoted as saying by the Antara news agency in Banda Aceh that four people died in the earthquake, two in the east of Simeuleu, one in Teupah South and Central Teupah.
Areas most affected include western Simeuleu, Alafan and Sialang, where schools, medical facilities and places of worship were severely damaged.
Simeuleu state hospital was damaged in the earthquake, forcing doctors to treat patients in tents.
The Aceh provincial administration has continued efforts to send humanitarian aid to the island.
The Office of Social Aceh has sent four truckloads of food and clothing to earthquake survivors.
While The Meteorology and Geophysics Agency (BMG) said residents of Simeuleu still suffering aftershocks, but of moderate intensity.
"Aftershocks in Sinabang, the regency of Simeuleu, is likely to continue because of the energy pent up after the main quake on Wednesday," said the head While BMG Rifwar Kamin on Thursday.
He said the quake did not cause extensive damage and a large number of casualties because its epicenter was located at a depth of about 34 kilometers.
from thejakartapost.com
