Indonesians flee quake island
2005-04-04 10:37
Banda Aceh, Indonesia - Almost 90 percent of the 78 000 people living on the quake-hit Indonesian island of Simeulue have fled their homes in fear of another disaster, an official said on Monday.
The island's senior government official, Darmili, told reporters that persistent rumours of an imminent earthquake more powerful than last week's 8.7 magnitude tremor have left many in fear of a repeat of the December 26 tsunami.
Sinabang, the island's main town was "like a ghost town in the evening because there are no longer any inhabitants," Darmili said.
"The people do not dare to return home, not only because of the rumours of a strong quake that will strike soon, but also because many of them no longer have any home to return to," he said.
Only 20 people have been confirmed dead on Simeulue after the March 28 earthquake which killed hundreds on the neighbouring island of Nias, but aftershocks have continued to jolt the area, fuelling widespread panic.
"So far there have not been any strong earthquakes. But yes, there are weaker aftershocks almost everyday," Darmili said.
He said that food and medical stocks on Simuelue were adequate, thanks to assistance from the World Food Programme, other United Nations agencies and the government, with more tents arriving on Monday to house those living outside.
Brian Morgan, an information officer for Save the Children, which is providing assistance on Simuelue, estimated that 60 percent of the people on the island were living outdoors.
"The needs are the same as everyone's -- shelter, food and getting health care quickly," he said.