Head of the BNPB, Lieutenant General Suharyanto, on Tuesday confirmed that 268 people died in the earthquake.
The death toll of 271 was obtained based on the verification of data on victims recorded at hospitals and health centers.
"We have identified data matching with the Ministry of Health, especially the Health Crisis Center at all hospitals and health centers, where the bodies really do exist," Suharyanto informed in Cianjur district on Wednesday.
According to him, the status of 40 victims is still being confirmed. Thirty-nine of them were residents of Cugenang sub-district and one was from Warungkondang sub-district, he said.
“So, these 271 have been confirmed; we ask tomorrow morning when we collect the village heads to collect data again," he informed.
During search operations on Wednesday, 4 missing people were found, he said. Three of the people were found dead. One person, a boy named Azka, 6, survived.
"Today's activities, earlier the search and evacuation, there have been results, this was carried out continuously even though it was raining, the team continued to search," he said.
He further said that starting Thursday (November 24, 2022), he will gather all village heads to verify the data on the number of victims, which has been recorded at 271 so far.
This is because it is possible that some bodies were immediately buried by residents without their being recorded by community health centers (puskesmas), he explained.
Related news: BNPB prioritizing Cianjur quake victims' search for next 72 hours
Meanwhile, the Indonesian Red Cross Society (PMI) expedited the distribution of assistance for residents affected by the 5.6-magnitude earthquake in Cianjur district, West Java, on Monday (November 21), in keeping with PMI chairperson Jusuf Kalla's directions.
"We have urged volunteers involved in the humanitarian operation in Cianjur district to ensure that the PMI assistance distribution services proceed smoothly," Kalla stated earlier.
During his visit to the disaster zone, he asked residents to maintain their health and follow the officials' instructions if aftershocks occur.
According to the PMI head, logistics for volunteers and residents have reached almost all regions affected by the earthquake.
The agency has so far distributed 200 blankets, 100 tarpaulin tents and 3 refugee tents, 800 health kits, 200 body bags, 150 baby kits, and 300 mattresses, he informed.
The PMI has also readied 3 transport trucks, 11 clean water tank trucks, 22 ambulance cars, 1 box truck, and 3 operational cars, he said.
While lauding volunteers for always being ready to help the government in assisting earthquake victims, Kalla urged them to constantly renew the data, which will serve as the basis for assistance and service distribution.
"You must not be tired to help residents in the disaster zone. Maintain your focus and readiness, always prioritize safety and health, and remain unified in providing services to earthquake victims in Cianjur," the PMI head said.
Related news: Minister visits three schools affected by Cianjur quake
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Translator: Bagus A, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Suharto
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