LOMBOK INTERACTIVE NEWS - LOMBOK'S NEW INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Earthquake Hit Yogyakarta & Central Java at 5,9

Jogjakarta, [05/27/2006]
Indonesians all over the country expressed the deepest condolence for the victims and their families. Some countries which have made pledges to support Indonesia in such a difficult situation. Among them are Japan, France, Malaysia and Singapore. We would certainly welcome any aids from other countries and agencies to help ease the pains felt by the affected ones.

The rate of the tremor was 5.9 on Richter Scale and its epicenter was at 38 km south of Yogyakarta with 33 depth of Indian Ocean.

The most affected area is Bantul, indicated by the casualties rates due to home collapses. To date, there have been reported: more than 3,000 dead, many thousands injured, Jogya airport closed – 3 meter gap in the tarmac and the recently new building destroyed, Jogya Palace Keraton destroyed.
Further, there has been no injured or overseas tourists nor casualties.

Yogyakarta airport, which part of building was slightly affected, is expected to resume normal operation on Sunday, 28th afternoon. Once open, the airport will be used primarily for transporting relief-related goods and personnel. All Yogyakarta linked flights are redirected to Solo and Semarang, the closest airport locations from Yogyakarta. Number of reported casualties is 3098, with about 80% were origins of Bantul District.

The devastation in Yogya, especially in the southern regions closer to the southern coastline, is pretty bad. The authorities have closed all roads into Yogya, and we cannot get any closer than Prambanan from this side. Yogya airport is out, and will be for some considerable time. There is a 3m wide by 1m deep hole in the runway, and the walls of the newly opened terminal building are leaning at 30 degrees and are propped up with steel posts. The 200 year old kraton (palace) is extensively damaged. All the hospitals are overflowing. Many of the high rise buildings, including Ibis Hotel, Diamond Shopping Mall and many other are wrecked. They are still digging people out of the rubble. Most of the victims were old people and young children; those who could not move fast enough when the big shock came just before 6am. The trains are running, but all the phones and most of the electricity is out.

*****

News index:

Mount Merapi brings uncertainty to Central Java tourism

Mount Merapi Is Far Away From Lombok

Lombok's New International Airport

Lombok Network Team Visit to The Refugees of The Floods in East Lombok

News Archive 2005