Great Earthquakes In Diverse Places
Another Strong earthquake sparks fresh panic in Indonesia
November 10, 2010
YOGYAKARTA (Indonesia): A 5.4-magnitude earthquake rattled the area on
Tuesday afternoon, sparking fresh panic and rekindling memories of a
deadly quake in Yogyakarta in 2006, but there were no reports of damage.
Rescuers voiced fears for missing children lost in the chaos of a mass
exodus after a series of killer eruptions from the nation’s most
dangerous volcano. About 320,000 people are living in cramped temporary
shelters after being ordered to evacuate from a 20-kilometre “danger
zone” around Mount Merapi, which has been spewing ash and heat clouds
since late October.
“We’re concerned about children who are yet to be united with their
parents,” said Makbul Mubarak, a coordinator for volunteers who are
trying to reunite separated families.
Tens of thousands of people fled their homes in the central island of
Java after Friday’s powerful eruption, the biggest at Mount Merapi
since the 1870s.
Hundreds were still searching for their loved ones, Mubarak said. “My
parents and I ran out of the house. I was scared because I’m still
traumatised by the big quake that occurred here in 2006,” said Deru
Waskita, 33, a resident of Yogyakarta.
The US Geological Survey said the epicentre of the fresh quake was 94
kilometres southwest of Yogyakarta, the historic capital of central
Java province.
Government volcanologist Surono said Mount Merapi, which means
“Mountain of Fire,” was still belching heat clouds on Tuesday but not
as intensely as on previous days.
Agence France-Presse