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23rd Dec 2018

At least 222 confirmed dead after volcanic eruption leads to tsunami in Indonesia

Dave Hanratty

Hundreds more people were injured and many are still missing.

Update: 11.30am

At least 222 people have died after a tsunami hit the coast on Indonesia’s Sunda Strait on Saturday 22 December.

Scientists believe that the cause of the tsunami was due to undersea landslides that developed after the Anak Krakatoa volcano erupted.

The tsunami struck at approximately 9.30pm local time (2.30pm GMT) with the Pandeglang region of the Banten province in Java identified as the worst affected area.

That region encompasses the Ujung Kulon National Park and popular beaches southwest of Jakarta.

As of 11.30am on Sunday, the Indonesian government has confirmed a death toll of at least 222 people with a further 843 injured and many still missing.

It is expected that the death toll will rise as aid workers and officials have yet to reach all areas that have been hit by the tsunami.

Indonesian president Joko Widodo took to Twitter to offer his “deep condolences” to victims.

“Deep condolences over the victims of the tsunami disaster in Pandeglang, Serang and South Lampung overnight,” he said.

“I have ordered all relevant government officials to immediately take emergency response steps, look for and find victims, and care for the injured.”

Video surfaced online of pop band Seventeen, who were performing a concert at the Tanjung Lesung beach resort as the tsunami crashed, destroying their stage and sweeping band members away.

It has since been confirmed by vocalist Riefian Fajarsyah that their bass player and road manager both died as a result of the attack and that his wife and other members of their band remain missing.

Government officials have warned of the potential for another tsunami as Krakatoa is still active.

High tide warnings are in place, while people have been urged to stay away from the coast.

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