Indonesian Earthquake - MSF assessing the situation

Main Category: Aid / Disasters
Article Date: 29 Mar 2005 - 11:00 PDT

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There have been reports of panic and fear of a second tsunami. However a second tsunami did not occur.

An earthquake measuring 8.7 on the Richter Scale struck the Sumatran coastline yesterday. This is the same region that suffered a massive tsunamu wave on December 26 where the subsequent death toll has been reported at over 200,000 people.

An MSF team is preparing an assessment to the islands of Nias, which appears to be the hardest hit, and Tuangku.

The Banda Aceh region on the northern tip of Sumatra, where MSF has concentrated a large segment of its post-tsunami work, had a power failure for a two minutes. There have been reports of panic and fear of a second tsunami. However a second tsunami did not occur.

MSF teams are on the ground throughout the region and are investigating the area for damages and needs.

On Simeuleu island in West Aceh, teams have been doing assessments and working at the clinics overnight. MSF has also put up tents to increase the capacity at the Sinabang hospital on Simeuleu island which has been damaged.

Several teams are assessing the situation near Meulaboh, Lhokseumave, Banda Aceh, Tapaktuan and on the island of Simeuleu.

Elsewhere, teams in Meulaboh, Lhokseumave and Banda Aceh are out to assess the situation. In the three locations damage seems to be minimal on first view.

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