Indonesia ‘Volcano Tsunami’: At Least 168 People Killed and Hundreds More Injured

Panimbang, MINA — A 20 metre-high wall of water was sent inland, damaging hotels and houses on the Indonesian islands of Java and Sumatra, News co.uk reported.

A tsunami has struck Indonesia‘s Sunda Strait, killing at least 168 and injuring 745.

The eruption of an island volcano sent a 20 metre-high wall of water inland, damaging hotels and houses on the Indonesian islands of Java and Sumatra.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has said it is monitoring the situation.

“The British Embassy is in contact the Indonesian authorities and monitoring the situation closely,” it said.

Underwater landslides from the eruption of Anak Krakatau – an island formed from previous blasts from Krakatoa – were recorded 24 minutes before the tsunami struck at around 21:20 local time (14:20 GMT) on Saturday evening.

The FCO has updated travel advice and warned people in the area to follow instruction of local authorities.

“On Saturday 22 December 2018 the coastline around the Sunda Strait which lies between Java and South Sumatra experienced a tsunami / high-tide, with damage and casualties reported,” the FCO said.

“If you are in the area, please follow the local authorities’ advice.”

It comes less than three months after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Central Sulawesi, causing widespread damage and killing 2,256 people.

More than 70,000 homes were said to have been damaged, while communications, water and electricity infrastructure was also severely impaired.

The natural disaster comes less than three months after a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck Central Sulawesi, causing widespread damage and killing 2,256 people. (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)