October 02, 2018 | 21:32 (GMT+7)
Indonesia’s earthquake: Vietnamese students safely arrive in Jakarta
Ten Vietnamese students stuck in Palu, which was hard-hit by deadly earthquakes and tsunami, were taken unscathed to Jakarta on October 1, thanks to joint efforts by the Vietnamese Embassy in Indonesia and local competent authorities.
According to Tran Minh Cu, Counselor of the Vietnamese Embassy in Indonesia, after hearing information about the strong earthquakes, which caused serious impacts on Central Sulawesi where ten Vietnamese students were pursuing study, the Vietnamese Embassy joined hands with Indonesian authorities, including military, and the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs to take the Vietnamese nationals out of the dangerous areas.
“Now they are safe in Jakarta,” he said.
The students had been in their dormitory when the powerful earthquakes rumbled Sulawesi Island. Luckily, they had a hairbreadth escape before the building collapsed.
They were taken to a place near the Vietnamese Embassy where they will continue receiving support.
Duong Hai Yen, one of the Vietnamese students, rejoiced at her safety, hoping that Palu city will stabilize soon. She said that her school was severely damaged, and it will take time to recover from the earthquake consequences.
Suwelasi Island was ravaged by two quakes measuring 6.1 and 7.5 on the Richter scale on September 28. A tsunami struck after the second quake in the afternoon of the same day.
A series of earthquakes in July and August killed nearly 500 people on the holiday island of Lombok, hundreds of kilometers southwest of Sulawesi.
In 2004, a substantial earthquake off the Northern Indonesian island of Sumatra triggered a tsunami across the Indian Ocean, killing 220,000 people in 13 countries, including more than 168,000 in Indonesia.
Source: VNA