The Hindu : International : Tsunami kills 86 in Indonesia

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Tuesday, Jul 18, 2006

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International

Tsunami kills 86 in Indonesia

High waves lash shore after earthquake

JAKARTA: A six-foot-high tsunami crashed into beach resorts and fishing villages on Indonesia's Java island Monday, killing at least 86 people, leaving scores more missing and sending thousands fleeing to higher ground, witnesses, officials, and media reports said.

Regional agencies issued bulletins saying a magnitude 7.7 earthquake that had struck beneath the Indian Ocean was strong enough to send a killer wave hurtling toward Indonesia, the country worst hit by the 2004 tsunami.

But the alerts did not reach the victims because the densely populated island — where a powerful quake killed thousands just seven weeks ago — does not have a tsunami warning system.

The hardest-hit area appeared to be Pangandaran, an idyllic beach resort in Ciamis district long popular with local and foreign tourists. Witnesses said people shouted ``tsunami, tsunami,'' and climbed trees or crowded inland mosques to pray as the wave approached.

``All the houses are destroyed along the beach,'' a woman who identified herself only as Teti told el-Shinta radio.

The extent of damage further up the coast was not immediately clear, with some roads blocked and power and phone lines cut. — AP

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