egarrard
05-27-2006, 01:37 PM
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060527/ap_on_re_as/indonesia_earthquake;_ylt=AlSmRfweu_hxK3IfoLwojdus 0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA2Z2szazkxBHNlYwN0bQ--
YOGYAKARTA, Indonesia - A powerful earthquake flattened homes and hotels in central Indonesia on Saturday as people slept, killing at least 3,000 and injuring thousands more in the nation's worst disaster since the 2004 tsunami.
The magnitude-6.2 quake struck at 5:54 a.m. near the ancient city of Yogyakarta, 250 miles east of the capital, Jakarta. Thousands of panicked residents fled into the streets, and some feared a tsunami would strike. Hospitals were overwhelmed with victims.
The quake's epicenter was 50 miles south of the rumbling Mount Merapi volcano, and activity increased soon after the temblor. A large burst spewed hot clouds and sent debris cascading some two miles down its western flank.
Sixteen hours after the quake struck, the number of dead stood at 3,068, Social Affairs Ministry official Sopar Jaya said, adding that two-thirds of the fatalities occurred in devastated Bantul.
"The numbers just keep rising," said Arifin Muhadi of the Indonesian Red Cross, adding that more than 3,400 people were hurt.
U.S. Embassy spokesman Max Kwak said he did not know of any American casualties, adding that the United States was donating $100,000 for search-and-rescue efforts and emergency care.
Sad. :(
YOGYAKARTA, Indonesia - A powerful earthquake flattened homes and hotels in central Indonesia on Saturday as people slept, killing at least 3,000 and injuring thousands more in the nation's worst disaster since the 2004 tsunami.
The magnitude-6.2 quake struck at 5:54 a.m. near the ancient city of Yogyakarta, 250 miles east of the capital, Jakarta. Thousands of panicked residents fled into the streets, and some feared a tsunami would strike. Hospitals were overwhelmed with victims.
The quake's epicenter was 50 miles south of the rumbling Mount Merapi volcano, and activity increased soon after the temblor. A large burst spewed hot clouds and sent debris cascading some two miles down its western flank.
Sixteen hours after the quake struck, the number of dead stood at 3,068, Social Affairs Ministry official Sopar Jaya said, adding that two-thirds of the fatalities occurred in devastated Bantul.
"The numbers just keep rising," said Arifin Muhadi of the Indonesian Red Cross, adding that more than 3,400 people were hurt.
U.S. Embassy spokesman Max Kwak said he did not know of any American casualties, adding that the United States was donating $100,000 for search-and-rescue efforts and emergency care.
Sad. :(