The death toll from an earthquake that struck Indonesia’s Java island early this week has risen to 310 after rescuers found more bodies under landslides
ByACHMAD IBRAHIM Associated Press
CIANJUR, Indonesia — The death toll from an earthquake that struck Indonesia’s Java island early this week rose to 310 after rescuers found more bodies under landslides, an official said. At least 24 people remain missing.
In devasted towns in western Java, residents gathered near badly damaged mosques for Friday prayers. Others held prayers along with rescuers between the tents at evacuation centers.
Bodies were recovered Friday in two areas of mountainous Cianjur district where landslides triggered by Monday’s quake brought tons of mud, rocks and broken trees, said Henri Alfiandi, chief of the National Search and Rescue Agency.
More than 1,400 rescuers have been searching through the rubble since the magnitude 5.6 quake, which injured more than 2,000 people.
The head of the National Disaster Management Agency, Suharyanto, who uses one name, said rescuers will continue searching until rebuilding begins.
“We will do it up to the last person. There is no reduction whatsoever, in strength, enthusiasm, or the equipment,” Suharyanto said.
He said distribution of food and other aid is improving and is reaching more people in 110 evacuation locations.
According to the disaster agency, the earthquake caused at least 56,000 houses to be damaged and 36,000 people to be displaced. 363 schools were among the hundreds of public facilities that were destroyed.
Such severe damage would not typically be brought on by an earthquake of that magnitude. However, the shallow quake on Monday rattled a heavily populated area without any infrastructure designed to withstand earthquakes.
Due to its location on the “Ring of Fire,” an arc of volcanoes and fault lines in the Pacific Basin, which is home to numerous volcanoes, Indonesia is frequently affected by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis.
