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Authorities at Jakarta Airport, Indonesia seize 687 endangered pig-nosed turtles

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 21:36:43 GMT

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Indonesia

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2 April 2013: Authorities at Jakarta Airport, Indonesia seize 687 endangered pig-nosed turtles
23 January 2013: Philippines seeks United Nations arbitration on South China Sea claims
23 January 2013: Briton sentenced to death for drug smuggling in Indonesia
31 May 2012: Indonesians retrieve missing recorder from crashed Russian jet
10 May 2012: Russian passenger jet crashes on Indonesian demonstration flight

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File photo of a pig-nosed turtle.
Image: Bjoertvedt.

Authorities announced yesterday that last month approximately 687 endangered pig-nosed turtles were seized at the Sorkarno-Hatta International Airport in the Indonesian capital city of Jakarta. The turtles were reportedly destined for the city of Hong Kong, China.

Teguh Samudro the head of BKIMP, the Indonesian quarantine said yesterday: "The packages were broken when they arrived at the airport, so we could tell what was inside"; "We don't know where they were being sent as the address on the package does not exist". He noted the turtles are to be returned shortly to their native Papua habitat.

He went on to say that, "Violators of the 1992 law on animal, fish and plant quarantines or the 1990 law on biodiversity and ecosystem conservation face up to three years’ imprisonment and fines of up to Rp 150 million (US$15,400)." The person who sent the endangered turtles has not yet been identified.

The Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora aims to ensure that international trade of animals and plants a risk of extinction are restricted, the pig-nosed turtle species are listed. They are at risk of extinction after having been smuggled for many years and the The Jakarta Post reports that 15 centimeter long adult pig-nosed turtles can get up to US$2,000 on the black market.

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Sources[edit]

Multa Fidrus. "Smugglers sought after 687 rare turtles found at airport" — The Jakarta Post, April 2, 2013
"Indonesia seizes nearly 700 endangered turtles" — PhysOrg, April 1, 2013

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Philippines seeks United Nations arbitration on South China Sea claims

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 16:03:34 GMT

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Philippines

Sister links[edit]

Territorial disputes in the South China Sea

Sources[edit]

"Philippines 'to take South China Sea row to court'" — BBC News Online, January 22, 2013
Michaela Del Callar. "PHL takes territorial spat with China to int'l arbitration" — GMA News, January 22, 2013
"PH to take China dispute to UN tribunal" — Rappler, January 22, 2013
AFP. "New ASEAN chair Brunei to seek South China Sea code of conduct" — GMA News, January 14, 2013

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Briton sentenced to death for drug smuggling in Indonesia

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 04:23:28 GMT

Indonesia

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2 April 2013: Authorities at Jakarta Airport, Indonesia seize 687 endangered pig-nosed turtles
23 January 2013: Philippines seeks United Nations arbitration on South China Sea claims
23 January 2013: Briton sentenced to death for drug smuggling in Indonesia
31 May 2012: Indonesians retrieve missing recorder from crashed Russian jet
10 May 2012: Russian passenger jet crashes on Indonesian demonstration flight

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Wednesday, January 23, 2013

A British woman has been sentenced to death in Indonesia for drug smuggling. Lindsay Sandiford, 56, was found guilty of breaking the tough drug laws in place in Indonesia at the Denpasar district court yesterday, having being found with 10.6 lb of cocaine, worth about £1.6m, in the lining of her suitcase at Bali's main airport in May last year.

Lawyers for Ms Sandiford, who is originally from the town of Redcar in Teesside, England, said the ruling "surprised" them, and they would appeal. U.K. Foreign Office Minister Hugo Swire expressed his strong objection to the decision and said the U.K. opposed the use of the death penalty. "We are aware that Lindsay Sandiford is facing the death penalty in Indonesia. We strongly object to the death penalty and continue to provide consular assistance to Lindsay and her family during this difficult time," he said.

Ms Sandiford was stopped on May 19 during a routine customs check at Ngurah Rai airport in Bali, after arriving from Bangkok via Thai Airways. She told the court, "I would like to begin by apologising to the Republic of Indonesia and the Indonesian people for my involvement. I would never have become involved in something like this but the lives of my children were in danger and I felt I had to protect them."

Prosecutors were not pursuing the death penalty for Ms Sandiford, instead asking for 15 years in prison.

The court is expected to deliver a verdict in the trial of Julian Ponder today. He was allegedly involved in drug smuggling with Ms Sandiford and Rachel Dougall. Mr Ponder is accused of receiving the drugs from Ms Sandiford in Bali. He denies the accusations, saying he was expecting delivery of a birthday present for his child from Ms Sandiford.

In the court verdict against Ms Sandiford, a panel of judges said she had damaged Bali's image.

Although 114 Indonesian prisoners are sentenced to death, including about 40 foreigners most of whom are drug-crime convicts, no executions have taken place since 2008.

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Sources[edit]

"Government condemns Sandiford death penalty" — Channel 4 News, January 22, 2013
"Bali Drugs: Death Sentence for Briton Lindsey Sandiford" — BBC News Online, January 22, 2013

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Indonesians retrieve missing recorder from crashed Russian jet

Thu, 31 May 2012 14:35:28 GMT

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Indonesia

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2 April 2013: Authorities at Jakarta Airport, Indonesia seize 687 endangered pig-nosed turtles
23 January 2013: Philippines seeks United Nations arbitration on South China Sea claims
23 January 2013: Briton sentenced to death for drug smuggling in Indonesia
31 May 2012: Indonesians retrieve missing recorder from crashed Russian jet
10 May 2012: Russian passenger jet crashes on Indonesian demonstration flight

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Villagers assisting recovery efforts for a Russian passenger jet that crashed in Indonesia have found the aircraft's missing flight data recorder. All 45 on board were killed when the Sukhoi Superjet 100 crashed during a demonstration flight earlier this month.

Sukhoi's first-ever Superjet 100 on display, from file. Credit:Marina Lystseva

The cockpit voice recorder was found several days after the plane hit Mount Salak, West Java on May 9. A landslide triggered by the impact had concealed the flight data recorder, but it was uncovered today after recent rains removed some of the soil it was under. "It seems to be intact," said Ketut Purwa, who is leading the recovery. It was sent to Jakarta for examination.

The recorder was found in a ravine 30 metres from the tail, which was also located by villagers. It contains a log of technical data from the 40-minute demonstration, which aimed to attract Indonesian airlines to buy Superjet 100s.

Tatang Kurniadi, head of the National Transportation Safety Committee, explained "The FDR emits a signal for up to a month but only if it's underwater. It doesn't work on land". In addition to the Indonesian investigation, Russian authorities have launched a criminal probe. The dead include eight Russians. Kurniadi also said work to complete an Indonesian translation of the voice recorder transcript is nearing completion.

The aircraft had asked for permission to descend to 6,000 feet shortly before the crash. It then hit the 7,200-foot mountain near Jakarta. In the midst of an Asian tour, Sukhoi had placed an experienced pilot in charge of the plane.

The Superjet 100 is intended to reinvigorate the Russian aviation industry, and is the nation's first new airliner since the Soviet era. With a maiden flight in 2008, it entered service last year and Sukhoi boasts 200 orders. The twin-engine jet seats around 100 and costs buyers US$31.7 million.

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Sources[edit]

"Indonesia finds crashed Sukhoi's second black box" — Agence France-Presse, May 31, 2012
"Villagers find flight data recorder from Russian jet" — AP, May 31, 2012
English.news.cn. "Indonesian team discovers Russian crashed plane's FDR" — Xinhua, May 31, 2012

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Russian passenger jet crashes on Indonesian demonstration flight

Thu, 10 May 2012 16:05:59 GMT

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Indonesia

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2 April 2013: Authorities at Jakarta Airport, Indonesia seize 687 endangered pig-nosed turtles
23 January 2013: Philippines seeks United Nations arbitration on South China Sea claims
23 January 2013: Briton sentenced to death for drug smuggling in Indonesia
31 May 2012: Indonesians retrieve missing recorder from crashed Russian jet
10 May 2012: Russian passenger jet crashes on Indonesian demonstration flight

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A plane built by Russia's Sukhoi has crashed in Indonesia with around 50 people on board during a demonstration flight to potential customers. The Superjet 100 struck a cliff as it descended over mountains near Jakarta.

The aircraft departed Halim Perdanakusuma Airport at around 2pm local time yesterday and was due to return 50 minutes later. A search and rescue mission was dispatched to West Java, where the aircraft crashed in the Salak mountain range. Bad weather and nightfall initially hampered rescue efforts but a helicopter found the crash site after dawn.

Sukhoi's first-ever Superjet 100 on display, from file. Credit:Marina Lystseva

Everything reportedly was normal that day on a preflight check and earlier demonstration flight. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev today ordered an investigation into the accident, while Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono today said "I expect that there will be a full and careful investigation".

Those on board include journalists, Russian diplomats, and representatives of prospective customer airlines. The flight crew had requested permission for a descent from 10,000ft to 6,000ft shortly before contact was lost. It struck a 7,000ft mountain and the reason for the descent is not immediately apparent. The jet was touring Asia on a sales promotion with stops including Pakistan, Vietnam, Laos, Kazakhstan, and Burma.

With a maiden flight in 2008, several Superjet 100s are in service and Sukhoi boasts orders for about 200 more. The first newly-designed post-Soviet Russian airliner, a commercial offering by military planemaker Sukhoi, it seats around 100 and retails for US$31.7 million. This is cheaper than products from Canada; and Sukhoi has sought the services of Western firms including Thales of France and Finmeccanica of Italy, potentially mitigating safety fears about Soviet-era technology.

Sukhoi's top test pilot, Alexander Yablontsev, and co-pilot Alexander Kochetkov reportedly were due to be at the controls of the crashed plane. The exact number on board is reported as being from 44 to 50. Sukhoi Civil Aircraft boss Vladimir Prisyazhnyuk said the flight carried eight, including technical staff, from Russia; two from Italy; and one each from France and the United States. The wreckage is in small pieces and, following unconfirmed reports saying bodies were seen, a search team reported no survivors found but several corpses.

So far, Aeroflot of Russia and Armavia of Armenia are the only airlines to have brought the jet into service. Mexico has recently given approval to the plane, allowing Western operator Interjet to join the Russian airlines before year's end. Sukhoi hopes to scale up production, presently below planned levels, and already has firm deals in place in Asia including with Kartika Airlines of Indonesia.

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Sources[edit]

Olivia Rondonuwu. "No survivors found after Russian plane crashes in Indonesia" — Reuters, May 10, 2012
"Test flight jet crashes into cliff" — Press Association, May 10, 2012
"Russian PM orders investigation into crashed plane in Indonesia" — Xinhua, May 10, 2012
"Indonesian president demands investigation on Sukhoi plane crash" — Xinhua, May 10, 2012
Robert Wall. "Update: Superjet Lost During Indonesia Flight" — Aviation Week, May 9, 2012
Andrew E. Kramer and Nicola Clark. "New Russian Aircraft Crashes During a Promotional Flight in Indonesia" — The New York Times, May 9, 2012

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Massive earthquake hits Indonesia, no tsunami risk

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 18:23:36 GMT

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Indonesia

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2 April 2013: Authorities at Jakarta Airport, Indonesia seize 687 endangered pig-nosed turtles
23 January 2013: Philippines seeks United Nations arbitration on South China Sea claims
23 January 2013: Briton sentenced to death for drug smuggling in Indonesia
31 May 2012: Indonesians retrieve missing recorder from crashed Russian jet
10 May 2012: Russian passenger jet crashes on Indonesian demonstration flight

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An 8.6 magnitude earthquake occurred off the Indonesian coast at 08:38:37 UTC today, causing a tsunami watch to be issued over the entire Indian Ocean.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake struck at a point 308 miles (495 km) southwest of Banda Aceh, the provincial capital, located on the northern extremity of the country's Sumatra island, at a depth of 20.5 miles (33 km). Local media reports suggest that people in Sumatra fled from their homes and offices in fear. The 8.6 quake was followed by a quake measuring 8.2 on the Richter Scale.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) advised authorities to "take appropriate action", stating that they were not aware whether a tsunami had occurred yet. The earthquake, initially believed to be 8.9 on the Richter Scale was later revised to be an 8.7 and finally an 8.6 quake. In reaction to the earthquake, the Indonesian disaster management agency noted that power had been shut down in Aceh. Moreover, people were being warned by sirens of the danger and were going to higher ground. Agency spokesman Sutopo said: "The electricity is down, there are traffic jams to access higher ground. Sirens and Koran recitals from mosques are everywhere."

In its report, the PWTC issued a tsunami watch for 28 countries, including, but not limited to Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Australia, Myanmar, Thailand, Maldives, United Kingdom, Malaysia, Mauritius, Singapore, Bangladesh, miscellaneous Indian Ocean islands, Pakistan, Somalia, Oman, Iran, Bangladesh, Kenya, South Africa and Mozambique. They mentioned that "[e]arthquakes of this size have the potential to generate a widespread destructive tsunami that can affect coastlines across the entire Indian Ocean basin."

The tsunami warnings were initially issued for Indonesia after the 8.6 earthquake and later issued for a further two hours after the 8.2 earthquake hit the Aceh province. The watch was lifted for Myanmar, Australia and Malaysia. Later, India too ended its tsunami watch, with a scientist at the Indian tsunami warning center noting that "the danger has passed".

Earlier, the tremors were felt as far away as Bangkok in Thailand and south India, particularly in Bangalore and Chennai. According to locals, people left their buildings in Bangalore on feeling the tremors. The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Service issued a red high-level warning for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The southeastern coasts of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu were put on lower warnings. According to Sky News, people residing near the coast were asked to move away from the sea in India. The tremors there reached upto the northern city of Kolkata. Kolkata and its surrounding areas felt tremors, also felt in North 24 Parganas and the town of Siliguri in the same state. Several people rushed out of their office as windows and doors rattled due to the quake, while some buildings developed cracks. Metro Rail services were suspended in the city, and people were asked to leave the stations.

Similar warnings were issued by the governments in Sri Lanka, where mild tremors were experienced at Colombo. The tsunami warning was however lifted after 6 p.m. local time. But the government advised people not to go close to the sea. Smith Dhamasoroja, of the National Disaster Warning Foundation, predicted that Thailand would have to face a tsunami as the earthquake was so powerful. Thai Meteorological Department deputy chief Somchai Baimoung however stated that no warning had yet been issued. Later a warning was issued in the country and subsequently lifted. In Bangladesh, two tremors were felt. But the authorities stated there was no fear of a tsunami.

Amy Vaughn of the U.S. Geological Survey told Sky News that because the earthquake was so massive, "a large body of water is disturbed by the movement of the fault". Therefore, since the epicenter was so close to the west coast of Sumatra, "it could be devastating for the region." In Malaysia, high-rise buildings shook for over a minute.

Indonesia straddles the Pacific Ring of Fire, a major earthquake belt. On December 26, 2004 a 9.2-magnitude earthquake in the same area triggered massive tsunami waves, killing almost 220,000 people.

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Sources[edit]

Reza Munawir. "Huge quakes off Indonesia stir panic, but no big tsunami" — Reuters, April 11, 2012
"Indian Ocean tsunami alert lifted after Aceh quake" — BBC News Online, April 11, 2012
"Tsunami Bulletin Number 001" — Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, April 11, 2012
Agencies. "Indonesia earthquake: Alert on but disaster panel rules out tsunami in Indian Ocean" — The Indian Express, April 11, 2012
"Magnitude 8.6 - OFF THE WEST COAST OF NORTHERN SUMATRA" — United States Geological Survey, April 11, 2012
Associated Press. "Tsunami fears recede after earthquake in Indian Ocean" — The Australian, April 11, 2012
NewsCore, Angus Thompson. "Geelong man tells of tsunami fears following two huge earthquakes off the Indonesian island of Sumatra" — The Herald Sun, April 11, 2012
"India ends tsunami alert after Indonesia quakes" — Reuters, April 11, 2012
R.K. Radhakrishnan. "Mild tremors in Sri Lanka; tsunami warning lifted" — The Hindu, April 11, 2012
"Tsunami warning after 2 quakes in Indonesia lifted" — IBNLive, April 11, 2012

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Airlines modify flight routes amid North Korea rocket launch plans

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 11:27:33 GMT

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

North Korea

Sources[edit]

"North Korea 'to mount satellite for rocket launch'" — BBC News Online, April 10, 2012
Associated Press. "20 flights on path of North Korea’s rocket rerouted, Philippines closes 3 northeast corridors" — Washington Post, April 9, 2012

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Jakarta court jails six for Java bombings

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 18:30:48 GMT

Friday, December 9, 2011

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Indonesia

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2 April 2013: Authorities at Jakarta Airport, Indonesia seize 687 endangered pig-nosed turtles
23 January 2013: Philippines seeks United Nations arbitration on South China Sea claims
23 January 2013: Briton sentenced to death for drug smuggling in Indonesia
31 May 2012: Indonesians retrieve missing recorder from crashed Russian jet
10 May 2012: Russian passenger jet crashes on Indonesian demonstration flight

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File photo, Jakarta.

The West Jakarta District Court has convicted six of a string of bombings, and responsibility for bomb alerts, a year ago on Java and sent them to prison. It is believed the group wished to begin a holy war.

Prosecutors wanted eight years for 29-year-old ringleader Roki Aprisdianto but the court gave him a six-year sentence. His five co-accused followers - all students or graduates from Klaten's State Vocational School No. 2 - all received five years, less than the seven years the prosecution wanted. Neither Aprisdianto nor the prosecution will appeal; the defence may yet appeal the other decisions.

Agung Jati Santoso, 21, Tri Budi Santoso, 20, Nugroho Budi Santoso, 19, Yuda Anggoro, 19, Joko Lelono, 18, and Aprisdianto all saw convictions under anti-terrorism legislation from 2003. Their crimes began on December 1, 2009 in Solo, with unexploded bombs found at three churches and two police posts. The town's Kliwon Market was rocked by a small explosion and six days later so was a church.

These were followed by an unexploded bomb at a Yogyakarta mosque on December 23 and a Klaten bomb scare in which a cow excrement and a clock were left in another mosque. The convictions follow that of seventeen-year-old Arga Wiratama, given a two-year sentence. The group was arrested in January.

Mitigation cited by the court for Aprisdianto's five followers included their young ages and their good conduct during the trial.

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Sources[edit]

"Klaten Terrorists Sentenced to Six Years" — Tempo Interactive, December 9, 2011
Eddy Pratama. "Indonesian Terrorists Jailed for 5-6 Years" — The Jakarta Globe, December 9, 2011

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Death toll from Borneo bridge collapse reaches eleven

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:06:36 GMT

Monday, November 28, 2011

Indonesia

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2 April 2013: Authorities at Jakarta Airport, Indonesia seize 687 endangered pig-nosed turtles
23 January 2013: Philippines seeks United Nations arbitration on South China Sea claims
23 January 2013: Briton sentenced to death for drug smuggling in Indonesia
31 May 2012: Indonesians retrieve missing recorder from crashed Russian jet
10 May 2012: Russian passenger jet crashes on Indonesian demonstration flight

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The death toll from the weekend suspension bridge collapse on the Indonesian island of Borneo has risen from four to eleven. Search and rescue teams continue to look for bodies in the Mahakam River.

The number of wounded is currently 39 injured; reports from locals suggest 33 people remain missing at the scene in East Kalimantan's Kutai Kartanegara district, where "Kalimantan's Golden Gate Bridge" linked the towns of Tenggarong and the regional capital, Samarinda. A six-month-old baby is among the dead.

Kutai Kartanegara Bridge.
Image: Ezagren.

Cars, motorbikes, and buses all fell into the Mahakam River when the bridge came down during repairs. Another car was left overturned and balanced upon wreckage over the water. State-owned builders PT Hutama Karya completed the bridge about a decade ago in the image of California's Golden Gate Bridge. A cable on the 720-metre structure is thought to have failed as workers dealt with it; six of the repair crew were reported missing yesterday. It had been the longest suspension bridge in Borneo.

Eyewitnesses described heavy traffic at the time of the collapse, and one survivor said he left his truck to investigate a traffic jam. Some people were left trapped by debris as the bridge came down. "It happened so fast, only about 30 seconds," according to National Disaster Management Agency spokesman Sutopo Nugoroho.

National search and rescue head Daryatmo said yesterday cranes will attempt to move debris today, with new reports saying echo-sounding equipment will be used to check it is safe to begin lifting. It is believed the bodies of more victims will be found trapped in vehicles beneath the water, which is 35-40 metres deep. Visibility is poor, and one official explained authorities are still unsure how many vehicles are on the riverbed.

The famous Golden Gate Bridge in the USA, which the bridge in Borneo aimed to replicate.
Image: Rich Niewiroski Jr..

"The above-water search is continuing, but underwater operations have not been carried out because we're worried that the bridge's pylons are unstable and could collapse any time," said Nugoroho today. He explained that bodies had washed onto the riverbanks overnight and were recovered today.

The president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, has sent three ministers to the site to investigate the accident, while Bambang Widaryatmo, head of East Kalimantan's police, promised "parties found to be negligent will be prosecuted". The government has promised a replacement ferry service. The river is closed to boats as rescue operations continue, and a 22-strong team has been dispatched from the national police, comprising six forensics experts, five disaster victim identification specialists, and eleven investigators. They are there to augment the East Kalimantan Police. Health Minister Endang Rahayu Sedyaningsih yesterday visited survivors in Parikesit Hospital and promised them medical treatment at government expense.

Some people swam ashore after falling, with the aftermath filled with screams. Survivor Syakrani, 24, yesterday asserted "The authorities should have closed the bridge if it was under repair." His words were followed by a Jakarta Globe editorial declaring the accident "unacceptable".

The Globe went on to comment upon suggestions corruption may have played a role; "It is too early to point fingers and look to place blame, but if shoddy materials were used in the building of the bridge, those responsible must answer to the public." Another suggestion is coal barges striking the bridge may have weakened it. Local coal company Harum Energy lost five percent of its share value today amid fears the river blockage will hamper their ability to ship coal.

Samarinda's seen a population and construction boom lately. A few years have seen the population triple and the construction of a large mosque, and a sports stadium; an airport and port are set to follow. However, the Corruption Eradication Commission warns 70% of the corruption it investigates concerns government contracts and up to 40% of money earmarked for infrastructure ends up stolen.

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Sources[edit]

"Indonesia bridge collapse kills 11" — al-Jazeera, November 28, 2011
"Borneo bridge collapse toll rises" — BBC News Online, November 28, 2011
Eric Bellman. "Bridge-Collapse Toll Hits 11" — The Wall Street Journal, November 28, 2011
"Death toll from major bridge collapse grows" — The Sydney Morning Herald, November 28, 2011

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Borneo bridge collapse: death toll reaches four, many remain missing

Sun, 27 Nov 2011 18:47:26 GMT

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Indonesia

Other stories from Indonesia

2 April 2013: Authorities at Jakarta Airport, Indonesia seize 687 endangered pig-nosed turtles
23 January 2013: Philippines seeks United Nations arbitration on South China Sea claims
23 January 2013: Briton sentenced to death for drug smuggling in Indonesia
31 May 2012: Indonesians retrieve missing recorder from crashed Russian jet
10 May 2012: Russian passenger jet crashes on Indonesian demonstration flight

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The death toll from yesterday's suspension bridge collapse on the Indonesian island of Borneo has risen from three to four, with a six-month-old baby among the dead. Search and rescue teams continue to look for survivors in the Mahakam River.

The initial death toll was raised at first to five, but was revised back down to four. The number of wounded rose from at least seventeen to at least nineteen, but Monsters and Critics offers a figure as high as 39 injured; Indonesia Today yesterday suggested the actual figure was 100 hospitalised. Roughly 40 people remain missing at the scene in East Kalimantan's Kutai Kartanegara district, where "Kalimantan's Golden Gate Bridge" linked the towns of Tenggarong and Samarinda.

At least three cars, several motorbikes, and at least one public bus all fell into the Mahakam River. Another car was left overturned and balanced upon wreckage over the water. State-owned builders PT Hutama Karya completed the bridge about a decade ago in the image of California's Golden Gate Bridge, and it is now reported it was under repair at the time of the failure. New information suggests a cable on the 720-metre structure failed as workers dealt with it; six of the repair crew are among the missing.

Kutai Kartanegara Bridge.
Image: Ezagren.

National police representative Boy Rafly Amar said "It is believed that some victims are still in the river. There are two buses in the river and efforts are under way to lift them." He said 39 were rescued with 20 still in hospital. Health Minister Endang Rahayu Sedyaningsih visited survivors in Parikesit Hospital and promised them medical treatment at government expense.

"It happened so fast, only about 30 seconds," according to National Disaster Management Agency spokesman Sutopo Nugoroho. National search and rescue head Daryatmo said Monday will see cranes attempt to move debris.

Some people swam ashore after falling, with the aftermath filled with screams. 40-year-old Adam Nur describes breaking free from a car and swimming 300 metres with one arm after his other arm was injured in the fall. Syakrani, 24, says he survived by clinging to empty plastic containers when he fell from the bridge after leaving his truck to investigate a traffic jam. "The authorities should have closed the bridge if it was under repair," he said.

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See Death toll from Borneo bridge collapse reaches eleven, November 28, 2011

Sources[edit]

Deutsche Presse-Agentur. "LEAD: Four killed after suspension bridge collapses in Indonesia" — Monsters and Critics, November 27, 2011
The Associated Press. "40 people missing, at least 4 dead after Indonesian bridge collapse" — The Washington Post, November 27, 2011
"Hunt for survivors after Indonesia bridge collapse" — Agence France-Presse, November 27, 2011
"President to send ferry to mobilize Kutai bridge users" — The Jakarta Post, November 27, 2011
"National Police send team to help investigate collapsed bridge" — The Jakarta Post, November 27, 2011
"Govt to pay treatment expenses of collapsed bridge victims" — The Jakarta Post, November 27, 2011

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Borneo bridge collapse kills at least three as vehicles fall

Sat, 26 Nov 2011 16:16:28 GMT

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Indonesia

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At least three people died today and seventeen more were injured after a road bridge collapsed on the Indonesian island of Borneo. At least three cars, several motorbikes, and a public bus all fell into the Mahakam River.

File photo of the Islanic centre in Samarinda, with the Mahakam River in the foreground.
Image: Hidayat008.

The bridge was constructed from concrete roughly a decade ago to resemble California's Golden Gate Bridge, and links the East Kalimantan towns of Tenggarong and Samarinda. Police say there is no indication of why it failed. Completed in 2001, work started in 1995 and locals called it "Kalimantan's Golden Gate Bridge."

The wounded have been hospitalised, some with broken bones. The scene at the bridge, in Kutai Kartanegara district, was filled with screams in the aftermath of the collapse. The suspension bridge was erected by state-owned builders PT Hutama Karya and one segment has fallen into the water. Some vehicles are close to entirely submerged, and Indonesia Today suggests as many as 100 people may be injured. One damaged car was left inverted and suspended above the water.

Harmoni Adi, head of a search and rescue agency, said "[t]he death toll is likely to increase," after the 4:30pm local time collapse, with rescuers in Tenggarong searching the river for survivors. Some people swam ashore after falling from the structure, which spanned 700 metres. An eyewitness described heavy traffic on the bridge when it came down.

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This story has updates

See Borneo bridge collapse: death toll reaches four, many remain missing, November 27, 2011,
Death toll from Borneo bridge collapse reaches eleven, November 28, 2011

Sources[edit]

The Associated Press. "3 dead, 17 injured in Indonesia bridge collapse" — The Hindu, November 26, 2011
"Three killed, 17 hurt in Indonesia bridge collapse" — Agence France-Presse, November 26, 2011
"At least 3 dead and scores injured as Indonesia's 'Golden Gate Bridge' collapses" — MSNBC, November 26, 2011
The Associated Press. "Indonesia Bridge Collapse Kills at Least Three" — The Wall Street Journal, November 26, 2011

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Indonesian volcano eruption prompts thousands to evacuate

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 21:39:41 GMT

Friday, July 15, 2011

Indonesia

Other stories from Indonesia

2 April 2013: Authorities at Jakarta Airport, Indonesia seize 687 endangered pig-nosed turtles
23 January 2013: Philippines seeks United Nations arbitration on South China Sea claims
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10 May 2012: Russian passenger jet crashes on Indonesian demonstration flight

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Location of Indonesia

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Mount Lokon erupting in Indonesia
Image: Henrik Hansson.

Mount Lokon, one of the most active volcanoes in Indonesia, has erupted for the first time since 1991. The volcano has erupted at least three times in the space of two days.

In the immediate aftermath of the eruption, no casualties have been reported. However, 4,400 have been evacuated from the surrounding area as a result of the incident with 28,000 evacuations being recommended in total by a disaster and vulcanology relief centre, aimed at those residing within a three-and-a-half kilometre (two mile) radius of the landmark, which was created last weekend. As well as this, the centre has increased the volcano status to its peak level. According to Darwis Sitinjak, a representative of an agency involved with disasters, rescuers - assisted by police officers and soldiers - were evacuating around five hundred inhabitants of the slopes of the mountain, Sitinjak told radio station El Shinta.

Lokon, in Sulawesi, a province located in the north of the country, commenced experiencing a volcanic eruption at approximately 1530 UTC Thursday. According to National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesperson Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, "[t]he eruption has set ablaze the forests around the crater". Kristianto, a volcanologist working for the government of Indonesia, has reported "no mass panic because the community has already been warned of the situation" and the evacuation of residents is ongoing, Kristianto said to Agence France-Presse. On Wednesday, two thousand other people departed from the area.

Out of the 129 volcanoes located in Indonesia, Mount Lokon is considered to be amongst the most active, standing at a peak of 1,580 metres (5,184 feet). Rocks, lava, smoke, ash and sand were thrown at a height of 1,500 metres (4,800 feet), according to Kristianto. On Friday, Lokon erupted again at around 1700 UTC on Thursday before erupting for a third time at approximately 1810 UTC the same day.

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Sources[edit]

"Indonesians flee volcano eruption on Sulawesi" — BBC News Online, July 15, 2011
"Thousands flee as Mount Lokon volcano erupts in Indonesia" — Channel 4 News, July 15, 2011

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27 believed dead in Indonesian plane crash

Sat, 07 May 2011 12:26:53 GMT

Saturday, May 7, 2011

File photograph of a Xian MA60 of Merpati Nusantara Airlines, similar to the aircraft which crashed.
Image: 6Tango.

Officials say 27 people are dead after a plane crashed into the sea off east Indonesia today. Fifteen bodies have been recovered and it is thought the others on board have sunk with the wreckage.

"I can confirm that all the passengers were killed when the plane exploded as it crashed into the sea," an Indonesian navy official told local radio station ElShinta. He said around ten navy divers were sent to the Papua crash site 400 metres off-shore in six kilometres of water but "had difficulties locating them [trapped passengers] due to strong currents and limited equipment."

	I can confirm that all the passengers were killed when the plane exploded as it crashed into the sea
—Indonesian navy officer

Merpati Nusantara Airlines has not confirmed passenger numbers. A transport ministry spokesman said the ministry is "still checking on the passengers' situation," adding "the weather was pretty bad at the time [of the crash]." Built by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China, the propellor-driven MA60 was 500 metres from a runway when it crashed, according to airport officials.

The nation of islands has heavy use of aviation and a poor safety record, including the crash of an Adam Air jet in 2007 that killed 102 people near Sulawesi. The European Commission had banned all Indonesian airlines from entering it, but two years ago flag carrier Garuda Indonesia was deemed to have improved and allowed to enter.

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Sources[edit]

Wikipedia has more about this subject:

Merpati Nusantara Airlines Flight 868

"At least 15 die as plane crashes off Indonesia's Papua - report" — Reuters, May 7, 2011
Agencies. "Navy officer: No survivors in Indonesia plane crash" — Gulf News, May 7, 2011

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Indonesians charged with people-smuggling following Christmas Island wreck

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 00:01:29 GMT

Crime and law

Sources[edit]

"Three charged over Christmas Island shipwreck" — BBC News Online, January 25, 2011
David Weber. "Accused people smugglers in custody" — ABC News, January 25, 2011
"Christmas Island Tragedy Internal Review" — Australian Customs and Border Service, January 24, 2010

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Over 100 dead and hundreds missing in Indonesia after tsunami destroys island villages

Wed, 27 Oct 2010 16:47:30 GMT

Indonesia

Other stories from Indonesia

2 April 2013: Authorities at Jakarta Airport, Indonesia seize 687 endangered pig-nosed turtles
23 January 2013: Philippines seeks United Nations arbitration on South China Sea claims
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31 May 2012: Indonesians retrieve missing recorder from crashed Russian jet
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Tuesday, October 26, 2010

The Mentawai Islands off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia

At least 113 people are now dead and hundreds more are missing after a 10 foot (3 m) tsunami destroyed several villages in a series of remote islands in western Indonesia. The tsunami was caused by a magnitude 7.7 earthquake which struck on Monday at 9:42 p.m. local time (14:42 UTC). The epicenter of the earthquake was 78 kilometers (48 mi) west of South Pagai, one of the Mentawai Islands off the west coast of Sumatra.

“We are predicting that people will need food supplies and shelter. The rain is coming down very hard, the wind is very strong,” a local police officer said, addind that emergency posts had been set up and patrols were being made to try and locate the missing. An official said that they had purchased 200 body bags "just in case."

	We have people reporting to the security post here that they could not hold on to their children, that they were swept away. A lot of people are crying.
—Betu Monga official

A local official said that most of the buildings in the coastal village of Betu Monga had been destroyed when the tsunami struck. “Of the 200 people living in that village, only 40 have been found. 160 are still missing, mostly women and children,” he said. “We have people reporting to the security post here that they could not hold on to their children, that they were swept away. A lot of people are crying.” Food supplies, he added, were running low.

Wisnu Wijaya, the preparedness director with the National Disaster Management Agency, said that the government is getting aid to the islands. "We already sent a rapid response team to this area, coordinated by the provincial government. We have local disaster management at Padang, because right now the condition of the wave is quite high," he said. Wijaya added that high waves and stormy weather have made it difficult to reach the affected areas, and communication was a problem. Emergency shelters have been set up and the first team from Sumatra was arriving Tuesday evening to begin a rapid assessment of the aid that was needed. "Up to now, I think we still can manage this problem. Maybe also we'll send staff to go there and make a better coordination. If they need national resources to deploy there, we'll be ready to support local government," Wijaya said.

	We threw whatever we could that floated—surfboards, fenders—then we jumped into the water.
—Rick Hallet

The head of the regional government in the affected area told local television that some of the people recorded as missing may have moved to higher ground to take refuge from the waves. Rick Hallet, who was aboard his boat when the earthquake struck, told Australian television: "We threw whatever we could that floated—surfboards, fenders—then we jumped into the water. Fortunately, most of us had something to hold on to ... and we just washed in the wetlands, and scrambled up the highest trees that we could possibly find and sat up there for an hour and a half." The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade issued a statement saying that radio contact had been lost with a tourist boat in the area which could have been nine Australians and a Japanese national. A humanitarian organisation said that there were "genuine fears" for those aboard.

A spokesperson for a surfing resort on the coast of North Pagai said that they had “experienced a level of devastation that has rendered the resort inoperable”. Witnesses suggested that villas at the resort had been “wiped out” by the tsunami. One report suggested that a 10 feet (3 m) wave had hit the resort, causing boats to burst into flames. “There was a lot of debris floating in the water, including bar stools and other pieces of furniture from Macaronis Resort,” a member of staff said. Reports suggested that water had reached rooftops in North Pagai.

Indonesia sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area prone to seismic shifts that spark earthquakes and volcanic activity. A massive earthquake in 2004 caused a tsunami that killed more than 230,000 people across the Indian Ocean. After that disaster Indonesia worked to establish early warning systems and disaster management programs to help deal with future quakes.

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Sister links[edit]

October 2010 Sumatra earthquake and tsunami

Sources[edit]

Sunanda Creagh, Telly Nathalia. "Indonesian tsunami kills over 100, many more missing" — National Post, 26 October 2010
Alison Chung. "Death Toll Rises After Indonesia Tsunami" — Sky News, 26 October 2010
Helen Pidd. "Indonesia tsunami death toll rises" — The Guardian, 26 October 2010

This article includes material from Deadly Tsunami Hits Islands in Western Indonesia by VOA News, which is in the public domain.

External links[edit]

Double Disaster In Indonesia Video footage of the eruption & tsunamis.

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English Wikinews RSS feed.

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