"We express condolences to the government and all people of Indonesia for the tsunami disaster that caused loss of life and damage in Sunda Strait on December 22, 2018," Minister Kono remarked in a statement from the Japanese Embassy in Jakarta here on Monday.
Kono noted that the Japanese government had expressed readiness to provide assistance to its Indonesian counterpart.
The government and all people of Japan prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured in the disaster and quick restoration of places damaged by the disaster.
In addition, Malaysia`s Deputy Prime Minister Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, through her Twitter account, extended her condolences to the victims of the deadly tsunami that struck Indonesia`s Sunda Strait.
Calling on the president through @jokowi`s Twitter account, Ismail conveyed Malaysia`s readiness to assist post-disaster recovery efforts.
A joint search and rescue team has found a total of 52 bodies in the Tanjung Lesung tourist resort in Panimbang Sub-district, Pandeglang District, Banten Province, that was hit by tsunami on Saturday (Dec 22).
"We hope that all victims of the tsunami would be found," Suhaedi, head of the Panimbang Sub-district, noted here, Monday.
Tanjung Lesung was crowded with vacationers when the natural disaster struck. A local rock band, "Seventeen," was entertaining the visitors, mostly employees of the state own electricity company (PLN), when the tsunami hit.
Of the 52 bodies, 31 have been identified. The victims included several musicians, a crew member, and manager of "Seventeen."
The bodies of a total of 25 victims identified were later taken home by their relatives.
The joint SAR team comprises military and police officers, personnel of the national and local disaster mitigation offices, and volunteers.
The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) noted on Sunday that the death toll in the tsunami had risen to 222, and 28 other people were missing, with more than 800 others injured in the provinces of Banten and Lampung.
The tsunami was most likely triggered by Mount Anak Krakatau`s eruption that had caused an underwater landslide.
Some 20 minutes after the eruption, a wall of water roared ashore, sweeping up everything in its path, including boats, tables, and people in the two provinces.
Reporting by Yashinta Difa, Azis Kurmala
Editing by Bustanuddin
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
