More than 220 people are confirmed dead and hundreds injured by waves caused by a volcanic eruption in Indonesia.
The death toll from an Indonesia tsunami that struck tourist beaches and coastal areas around the country’s Sunda Strait at about 9.30pm local time on Saturday is expected to rise, authorities have said. Coastlines of the islands of Java and Sumatra have been worst hit.
There was no warning of the giant waves which struck at night, destroying hundreds of buildings, sweeping away cars and uprooting trees.
Local authorities initially assured people there was no tsunami risk and told locals not to panic or spread “fake news” via social media.
There was tidal wave warning in place as a result of the full moon, which officials now say led to the early complacency.
They later issued a clarification, admitting that a tsunami had indeed struck.
It is thought undersea landslides from the Anak Krakatau volcano caused them.
Indonesia’s disaster management agency said 28 people were still missing and rescuers had yet to reach all the affected areas.
Footage shared on social media showed a large wave crashing into a tent in the resort, in which popular Indonesian rock band Seventeen was performing. Members of the band were seen being swept away as the wave destroyed the stage.
Daylight has revealed the extent of the destruction of the Indonesia tsunami, including hundreds of significantly damaged homes and dozens of hotels and other buildings also impacted.
This comes only a few months after an Indonesia tsunami hit Palu, the capital of central Sulawesi province in September.
