Indonesia: Toll From Earthquake Mounts To 252, Many School Children Killed In Building Collapses

According to data from the US Geological Survey, a 5.6-magnitude earthquake at a depth of 10 km hit the city of Cianjur in West Java on Tuesday.

Collapsed buildings in Cianjur after earthquake in Indonesia

Source : File Photo/Getty

New Delhi: At least 252 people have been killed and more than 700 injured in the 5.6-magnitude earthquake, reported news agency AFP quoting an official. The earthquake occurred on Monday in Java, the main island of Indonesia. The number of children is the highest among those who died, reported Reuters. According to data from the US Geological Survey, a 5.6-magnitude earthquake at a depth of 10 km hit the city of Cianjur in West Java on Tuesday.

"The challenge is the affected area is spread out ... On top of that, the roads in these villages are damaged," said Henri Alfiandi, head of the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), adding that more than 13,000 people had been evacuated.

"Most of the casualties are children because at 1 p.m. they were still at school," he said, referring to the time the quake hit.

"Everything collapsed beneath me and I was crushed beneath this child," Cucu, a 48-year-old resident, told Reuters.

"Two of my kids survived, I dug them up ... Two others I brought here, and one is still missing," she said through tears.

"Many dead bodies are lying in the hospital grounds, it's very crowded," said her relative, Hesti.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday condoled the loss of lives in the earthquake in Indonesia and said India stands with that country in this hour of grief.

“Saddened by the loss of lives and damage to property from the earthquake in Indonesia,” Modi said in a tweet and tagged Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

Saddened by the loss of lives and damage to property from the earthquake in Indonesia. Deepest condolences to the victims and their families. Wish a speedy recovery to the injured. India stands with Indonesia in this hour of grief. @jokowi

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 22, 2022

“Deepest condolences to the victims and their families. Wish a speedy recovery to the injured. India stands with Indonesia in this hour of grief,” he said.

The tremors of the 5.6 magnitude earthquake were also felt in the towns of south Jakarta, Indonesia's capital.

West Java governor Ridwan Kamil said on Instagram that 162 people had been killed. 

Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency (BNPB) said more than 2,200 houses had been damaged and more than 5,300 people were displaced.