Iran Sympathizes with Indonesia over Deadly Tsunami

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi has expressed deep regret over a deadly tsunami in Indonesia's Sunda Strait, which has killed dozens of people and left many others missing and homeless.

Residents inspect the damage to their homes on Carita beach on December 23, 2018, after the area was hit by a tsunami on December 22. / Photo by AFP

In a Sunday statement, Qassemi also offered sympathy to the Indonesian nation and government, and the bereaved families of the tragic incident’s victims.

The tsunami struck two of the country’s islands without warning, killing at least 370 people and injuring more than 1400, officials said on Sunday.

A three-foot wave, apparently caused by volcanic activity on the island of Anak Krakatau, swept ashore on Saturday night along the coasts of western Java and southern Sumatra.

No earthquake was recorded, and no tsunami warning was issued to people in the area, said Rahmat Triyono, earthquake and tsunami chief at Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency.

“We don’t know what caused the tsunami yet,” he said. “We suspect it was caused by the Anak Krakatau activities.”

Officials reported deaths and destruction on both Java and Sumatra. The Sunda Strait lies between the islands, connecting the Java Sea and the Indian Ocean.

Officials put the number of missing at 30.

More than 400 homes, nine hotels and at least 10 vessels were damaged or destroyed in Pandeglang, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, the spokesman for Indonesia’s disaster management agency, said on Twitter.

IFP Editorial Staff

The IFP Editorial Staff is composed of dozens of skilled journalists, news-writers, and analysts whose works are edited and published by experienced editors specialized in Iran News. The editor of each IFP Service is responsible for the report published by the Iran Front Page (IFP) news website, and can be contacted through the ways mentioned in the "IFP Editorial Staff" section.