The airplanes will assist the Search and Rescue (SAR) team in evacuating (victims) and distributing logistics to affected peopleJakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) has deployed several aircraft to help people affected by a 6.2-magnitude earthquake that hit Majene, West Sulawesi Province, on early Friday.
Chief of the National Defense Force (TNI) Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto has instructed Air Force Chief of Staff Marshal Fadjar Prasetyo to dispatch a Boeing 737 aircraft from Air Squadron 5 at the Sultan Hasanuddin Airbase in South Sulawesi to help the quake victims, chief of TNI AU's information service, First Marshal Indan Gilang B., noted in a written statement released on Friday.
The TNI AU also readied Hercules C-130 aircraft from Air Squadron 33 at the Hasanuddin Airbase and Air Squadron 31 at the Halim Perdanakusuma Airbase in Jakarta, a CN 295 plane from Air Squadron 2 at the Halim Perdanakusuma Airbase, and a Super Puma NAS-332 helicopter from Air Squadron 6 at the Atang Sendjaja Airbase in Bogor, West Java.
"The airplanes will assist the Search and Rescue (SAR) team in evacuating (victims) and distributing logistics to affected people," he revealed.
At least three people died, while 24 others suffered injuries in a 6.2-magnitude earthquake ensued by several aftershocks that rattled Majene District, West Sulawesi, on early Friday, according to Indonesia's National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB).
The powerful earthquake, whose epicenter was located on land, six kilometers northeast of Majene District, at a depth of 10 kilometers, also compelled some two thousand locals to flee in pursuit of refuge at safer areas, the agency's spokesperson, Raditya Jati, stated.
The shallow quake, which the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) believe was caused by local fault, also destroyed several buildings, including the governor's office, a military office, and Maleo Hotel, Jati remarked.
The earthquake, which also damaged 62 houses and a public health center, additionally triggered three landslides along the Majene-Mamuju road section and disrupted the transportation of people and goods, Jati revealed.
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Translator: Syaiful Hakim/Suharto
Editor: Sri Haryati
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