VIVAnews - The earthquake that hit the northern part of Sulawesi on Thursday, 12 February, has caused severe losses. Up to 264 are have been injured on Talaud Island.
"Aside from than them, one person died of shock when getting treatment at Talaud Hospital," said Head Division of Public Relations of Talaud Regency Administration, Ishak Tamaroba, when called from Manado on Friday, Feb. 13.
The highest number of severely injured victims is at Kabaruan village. Nine people were injured by falling debris. Based on investigation made by the local administration, the area that has the most injured victims and material loss is Kabaruan subdistrict, followed by Melonguane and Rainis.
"It's possible that the figure for the number of injured victims will rise because the local administration hasn't finished the investigation," said Tamaroba.
Talaud regency consists of hundreds of small islands near the Philipine's border. Tamaroba said that some of the victims are treated in the local administration clinic or health posts around the area because the Talaud Hospital also suffered some damages after the earthquake.
North Sulawesi Police Department will enforce at least 165 joined personnel from the Police Mobile Brigade (Brimob) to evacuate the earthquake victims in North Sulawesi.
In an interview with ANTV, Talaud Regent Elly Lasty said that the food and medical aids are ready to sent along with help from the police. "We have prepared everything. It's waiting to be shipped," said Lasty, Friday, Feb. 13.
The aid for the victims will arrive on Saturday noon, 14 February since according to Lasty the shipping from Manado to the disaster site takes 16 hours by sea.
"The aid will be sent on 4pm this afternoon and will arrive on location tomorrow noon since the wheather is terrible and it takes 16 hours by sea plus an hour or two flight," said Lasty from his office.
According to him, the aid have been already prepared from early time. But the weather was terrible and the vehicle to take the aids to location was inadequate. "We are not using a military ship, but a commercial boat, and it definitely takes more time to have another boat to cary the shipment," he said.
The earthquake epicenter was 112 km southeast of Melonguane, North Sulawesi, 136 km northeast of Tahuna, North Sulawesi, 313 km northeast of Bitung, North Sulawesi, 332 km northeast of Manado, North Sulawesi, and 349 km northwest of North Maluku.
Translated by: Ariyantri E. Tarman
