Tsunami Triggered By Volcanic Eruption Kills 222, Injures Over 800 In Indonesia [Photos/Video]

A tsunami believed to be triggered by a volcanic eruption killed at least 222 people, injured more than 800 and 28 are reportedly missing in Indonesia during a busy holiday weekend, sweeping away hotels, hundreds of houses and a group of people attending a beach concert.

The tsunami reportedly started around the Sunda Strait at night on Saturday, December 22, 2018.

The Disaster Management Agency spokesman, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, said 222 deaths had been confirmed and at least 843 people were injured. Rescue workers were still trying to access other affected areas.

According to him, the toll could continue to rise because some areas had not yet been reached. The worst-affected area was the Pandeglang region of Java’s Banten province, which encompasses Ujung Kulon National Park and popular beaches.

The dramatic video below, posted on social media showed an Indonesian pop band named Seventeen performing under a tent on a popular beach at a concert for employees of a state-owned electricity company. Dozens of people sat listening to tables covered in white cloths while others bobbed to the music near the stage as bright strobe lights flashed and theatrical smoke was released.

 

A child could also be seen wandering through the crowd. Seconds later, with the drummer pounding just as the next song was about to begin, the stage suddenly heaved forward and buckled under the force of the water, throwing the band and all their equipment into the audience.

The group released a statement saying their bass player, guitarist and road manager were found dead, while two other band members and the wife of one of the performers remained missing. The statement said:

“The tide rose to the surface and dragged all the people on site. Unfortunately, when the current receded our members are unable to save themselves, while some did not find a place to hold on.”

Tourists were also affected during the long holiday weekend ahead of Christmas.

Norwegian Oystein Lund Andersen, a self-described photographer and volcano enthusiast said he was taking pictures of the volcano when he suddenly saw a big wave come toward him.

“I had to run, as the wave passed the beach and landed 15-20m (meters, or 50-65 feet) inland.”

“Next wave entered the hotel area where I was staying and downed cars on the road behind it,” he wrote. “Managed to evacuate with my family to higher ground (through) forest paths and villages, where we are taken care of (by) the locals. Were unharmed, thankfully.”

Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo expressed his sympathy and ordered government agencies to respond quickly to the disaster. He said:

“My deep condolences to the victims in Banten and Lumpung provinces. Hopefully, those who are left have patience.”

The Anak Krakatau volcano lies in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra islands, linking the Indian Ocean and the Java Sea. It erupted about 24 minutes before the tsunami, the geophysics agency said.

Scientists, including those from Indonesia’s Meteorology and Geophysics Agency, said on Sunday that the tsunami could have been caused by undersea landslides or those occurring above sea level on the Anak Krakatau volcano’s steep outside slope following the eruption.

The volcano’s name translates to “Child of Krakatoa,” a volcanic island formed over years after one of the largest eruptions in recorded history occurred at the Krakatoa volcano more than a century ago. The scientists also cited tidal waves caused by the full moon.

Nine hotels and hundreds of homes were heavily damaged. Broken chunks of concrete and splintered sticks of wood littered hard-hit coastal areas, turning beach getaways popular with Jakarta residents into near ghost towns. Vehicles tossed by the waves remained belly up in the rubble or were lodged in the air under collapsed roofs. Debris from thatch-bamboo shacks was strewn along beaches.

Roads and infrastructure are poor in many areas of disaster-prone Indonesia, making access difficult in the best of conditions.