Death Toll Climbs To Five After Quake In Eastern Indonesia
Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published July 17, 2019 | 11:20 AM
JAKARTA, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Jul, 2019 ) :The death toll from a powerful earthquake that hit a remote Indonesian island chain at the weekend has climbed to five, with thousands living in evacuation shelters, an official said Wednesday.
The shallow 7.3-magnitude quake struck about 165 kilometres (100 miles) south of the town of Ternate in North Maluku province on Sunday evening, according to the US Geological Survey.
"Five people died after they were hit by debris," Agus Wibowo, a spokesman for Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency, said in a statement.
Nearly 1,000 houses were damaged in the sparsely populated district of South Halmahera, which was closest to the quake's epicentre, and more than 3,000 people have taken refuge in government buildings and schools over fears of aftershocks.
Local authorities have placed the district under emergency status and have begun establishing public kitchens, as well as distributing aid and tents.
North Maluku was also hit by a 6.9-magnitude tremor earlier this month.
Indonesia experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to its position on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", where tectonic plates collide.
Last year, a 7.5-magnitude quake and a subsequent tsunami in Palu on Sulawesi island killed more than 2,200 people, with another thousand declared missing.
On December 26, 2004, a devastating 9.1-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Sumatra and triggered a tsunami that killed hundreds of thousands across the Indian Ocean region, including around 170,000 in Indonesia.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Co-Working Center launched in Okara under PITB’s e-Earn program
BHC judges recommend legal action over agencies interference into judicial matte ..
Third Women T20I: Pakistan to face West Indies today
Mahira Khan delights at Arijit Singh’s concert in Dubai
Dubai Customs Celebrates World Intellectual Property Day, Honors Schools and Uni ..
Vivo Reveals Durefishan Saleem as Brand Ambassador for its Upcoming Y100 Smartph ..
FIA investigates alleged irregularities in tickets’ sale for PSL, int’l matc ..
IMF approves $1.1b final tranche for Pakistan
Naseem Shah among others who registers for LPL 2024
NAB withdraws LNG reference against Shahid Khaqan Abbasi
Mohsin Naqvi to visit Karachi today
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 30 April 2024
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
Stage Drama Mohabati Manhoon presents in Arts council Larkana
2 days ago -
Wheat farmers in a fix on price, procurement mechanism
2 days ago -
Modern tools to help transform crime investigation procedures
2 days ago -
Sanam Marvi captivates audience with mesmerizing performance
3 days ago -
Modern Education Techniques: A pathway to achieve economic development
4 days ago -
Kite Flying: From cultural festival to deadly sport
4 days ago
-
PDMA predicts gusty wind, rain with thunder, hails
7 days ago -
Iranian president Raisi given guard of honour at PM House
8 days ago -
Intellectuals, writers accolades Naseer Mirza on his literary contribution
9 days ago -
Bahawalpur Adabi Sangat hosts memorable mushaira
9 days ago -
Cattle farming vital to alleviate poverty in rural areas
9 days ago -
Pakistan: A land of tourism, archeological wonders
9 days ago