OIC Chief Offers Condolences to Indonesia Over Tsunami Victims

Jeddah, MINA – Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Yousef Al-Othaimeen extended his condolences to Indonesia in the wake of the tsunami that hit the islands of Sumatra and Java, killing 222 people and wounding hundreds more as well as massive destruction of property.

Al-Othaimeen conveyed his sincere sympathies and profound condolences to the government and people of Indonesia as well as to the families of the victims, and wished a prompt recovery to the injured, UNA reported. 

The secretary general appealed to all OIC member states and charity organizations to provide all possible assistance to Indonesia and offer aid and relief to the affected people in these difficult times.

A tsunami killed at least 222 people and injured hundreds on the Indonesian islands of Java and Sumatra following an underwater landslide believed caused by the erupting Anak Krakatau volcano, officials and media said on Sunday.

Hundreds of homes and other buildings were “heavily damaged” when the tsunami struck, almost without warning, along the rim of the Sunda Strait late on Saturday, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesman for the disaster mitigation agency, said. 

Thousands of residents were forced to evacuate to higher ground. By 1040 GMT, the disaster agency had raised the death toll to 222 from 168, with 843 injured and 28 missing.(R/R04/RS5)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)