[Kabar-indonesia] Sulawesi Flood, Landslide Death Toll Reaches 94 [+JP]

[JoyoNews at aol.com]

also: JP: Dozens die as S. Sulawesi hit by floods, landslides 

Death Toll From Floods On Indonesia's Sulawesi Reaches 94

JAKARTA, June 21 (AP)--Rescuers searching for survivors on an Indonesia 
island ravaged by floods and landslide retrieved scores of bodies on 
Wednesday, bringing the death toll to 94, officials said. 

At least 42 others were reported missing on the central island of Sulawesi, 
according to an Associated Press tally of figures released by the worst-hit 
districts. 

"Rescuers have found 87 bodies in Sinjai district alone," said Sinjai 
district 
chief, Andi Rudianto Asapa. 

Seven others died in neighboring districts, said Syafar, at the island's 
disaster 
relief coordination office. Syafar gave a single name. 

---------------------------------

The Jakarta Post
Wednesday, June 21, 2006

Dozens die as S. Sulawesi hit by floods, landslides 

Andi Hajramurni, The Jakarta Post, Makassar

At least 42 people were killed Tuesday when flash floods and landslides 
struck several regencies in South Sulawesi, according to local police and residents.

Dozens of residents were reported missing and more than 100 others injured in 
the flash floods and landslides in Bantaeng, Bone, Bulukumba, Jeneponto and 
Sinjai regencies. The disaster was sparked by torrential rains since Monday 
morning. 

According to information gathered by The Jakarta Post, Sinjai was the hardest 
hit regency, with 24 deaths. 

"Three of the 24 victims were found floating near Sembilan island," Sinjai 
Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Tavip Yulianto said. 

The floods and landslides also damaged hundreds of houses and inundated rice 
fields and fishponds. Roads, bridges and buildings also were affected. 

Residents said dozens of people remained missing, while about 100 people had 
been admitted to hospitals and community health centers suffering from a 
variety of injuries. 

As of Tuesday evening the body of one victim had been recovered in Bone, 
where three others remained missing. Two bodies had been found in Bulukumba, one 
in Bantaeng and the body of a 10-year-old had been recovered in Jeneponto. 

Syamsu, a resident of Central Sinjai district in Sinjai regency, told the 
Post landslides hit two villages -- Gantarang and Kompang -- after midnight, 
while most people were sleeping. 

"A heavy rain started falling early Monday. We heard a thunderous sound ... 
which was the landslides. Panicked residents ran for their lives, but others 
who did not have the chance to get out of their houses were buried by the 
landslides," Syamsu said. 

Forty houses in the two villages were buried. The bodies of 15 people were 
recovered Tuesday afternoon; nine in Gantarang and six in Kompang. Ten others 
are still missing, while 10 people were severely injured. 

"There are still 10 more people buried beneath the earth. We are having 
trouble reaching them because we only have hand tools and it is still raining. 

"It is no use waiting for outside help because the roads leading to the 
villages have been completely cut off by the landslides," Syamsu said. 

Meanwhile, according to the Sinjai Police at least 16 bodies were recovered 
from Biring Ere village in East Sinjai district. 

"According to the information we received as of this afternoon, 16 bodies 
were recovered, but we are still searching for dozens more people," Brig. Ahmad 
said. 

Sinjai Regent Andi Rudiyanto Asapa said the flash floods were caused when 
Biring Ere River burst its banks. The flooding reached between one and two meters 
in height, he said. The regent added that this was the worst flooding in the 
area in years. 

Rudiyanto said the floods destroyed 30 houses in Biring Ere village, and 
inundated thousands of houses, office buildings, schools and places of worship in 
Sinjai. 

Two bridges were damaged, paralyzing the movement of vehicles into and out of 
the regency. 

"We don't yet have any information on the monetary costs of the flooding. 
What is most important now is helping residents and providing them with 
evacuation centers and adequate supplies of food and other assistance," he said. 

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Joyo Indonesia News Service
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