|
|
|
Quake Shakes North Maluku
|
The
Jakarta Post
August
14, 2003
|
Quake Shakes North Maluku
Laksamana.Net - An earthquake has damaged nearly 200 homes and government
buildings in North Maluku province, but there have been no reports of any injuries or
deaths.
Jakarta's Meteorology and Geophysics Bureau on Wednesday (13/8/03) said the 5.3
magnitude quake hit Wasile village on Halmahera island.
Agence France-Presse quoted meteorologist Teguh Prasetyo as saying the quake,
which occurred late Monday, prompted hundreds of villagers to flee their homes.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation quoted a local official as saying the
earthquake affected eight villages that can only be reached by sea.
The government has reportedly sent medical personnel and supplies, such as tents
and food, to the affected areas.
On May 27, 2003, a strong earthquake and powerful aftershock killed a 3-year-old
child and damaged 140 houses in North Maluku.
Indonesia is often hit by earthquakes due to its location on the Pacific ring of fire
a series of volcanoes and fault lines running from the Americas through Japan and
Southeast Asia to the South Pacific.
In 1992, a 7 magnitude earthquake killed more than 2,000 people on Flores.
Experts have warned that a strong quake in Jakarta could kill at least a million people.
|
