More than 220 people have been reportedly killed and hundreds injured after a tsunami, apparently triggered by a volcano eruption, hit the coast of Indonesia’s Sunda Strait, The BBC reported.
The powerful waves, with heights of 30 to 90cm, have caused extensive damage on both sides of the strait.
International media also reported that many people are missing and authorities expect the death toll to rise as many affected areas have not yet been reached.
Rescue efforts
The Indonesian Red Cross has dispatched volunteers to Pandeglang to respond to the immediate needs of the people and provide help in rescuing survivors and recovering bodies.
The country’s disaster agency said it was still compiling information and there was a “possibility that data on the victims and damage will increase”.
A local team from Islamic Relief in Indonesia rushed to the ground assessing the damage in Indonesia – the tsunami is only the latest in a string of natural disasters to have rocked the country this year
Islamic Relief teams are on the ground assessing the damage in Indonesia – the tsunami is only the latest in a string of natural disasters to have rocked the country this year https://t.co/ZlZIhN9Qyd
— Islamic Relief (@IRWorldwide) December 23, 2018
A tsunami has hit Indonesia killing 20 people and injuring 165. We are monitoring the situation. https://t.co/UlxvzZ2WFY
— Muslim Aid UK (@Muslim_Aid) December 23, 2018
In September, at least 832 people were killed by a powerful earthquake and tsunami that hit the city of Palu on the island of Sulawesi.
Indonesia’s population is vulnerable to natural disasters because the country lies on volcanic fault lines and is therefore susceptible to earthquakes and tsunamis as well as flooding and drought.