"According to the local authority, there were two fatalities and 10 people were injured because of the quake. However, there was no Indonesian nationals among the victims," the Consulate General stated in a statement, Monday (June 18).
Following the incident, the office has called on all Indonesian nationals in Osaka to follow the instructions issued by the local authority, and to remain vigilant of any aftershocks.
"The government of Japan has issued a warning on the aftershocks potential for several days ahead. Hence to all Indonesian nationals living or temporarily staying in Osaka, to follow the local news and instruction from the authority," the Consulate General noted.
In an emergency situation, the Consulate General has launched a hotline in +81 80 3113 1003 that can be reached by phonecall, text, Whatsapp and Line messengers.
By this far, several local news reports said more than 300 people were reported hurt and three people were dead because of the quake. Following the shocks, the local broadcaster NHK reported that nearly 700 people were temporarily displaced from their homes, and they were now in evacuation centers.
Occurred at Monday morning during the rush hour, the quake also damaged some buildings. At least 1,000 schools were closed in Osaka, as well as in nearby prefectures. Besides cracks in walls and other concretes, the quake also damaged the roads and water pipes, as a result, several burst were found, mainly in the Takatsuki City.
The local news also reported that supplies of water and gas had been temporarily cut to 108,000 households in northern Osaka, while 170,000 homes had suffered from blackouts. However, within hours, the issue had been resolved by the authority.
Meanwhile, the operational in airport and train stations were disrupted, but the situation had returned to normal hours after the quake.
A Japan-based national daily, The Mainichi reported that Japan Airlines Co. (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA) had canceled dozens of their flights in and out of Osaka International Airport. The former canceled its 34 flights, while the latter called off its 12 flights.
Reporter: Genta Tenri Mawangi
Editor: Otniel Tamindael
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
