Volcanos

Tsunami set off by volcano sweeps Indonesia coast

A tsunami killed at least 168 people and injured hundreds on the Indonesian islands of Java and Sumatra following an underwater landslide caused by the eruption of Anak Krakatau, officials said on Sunday.

Anak Krakatau is the island that emerged from an area once occupied by Krakatau, which was completely destroyed in the 1883 disaster which killed more than 36,000 people in a series of tsunamis following an eruption of Krakatau. It first appeared in 1927 and has been growing ever since.

Coastal residents reported not seeing or feeling any warning signs, like receding water or an earthquake, before waves of up to two meters washed ashore, according to media.

Hundreds of homes and other buildings, including hotels were “heavily damaged” in the tsunami which struck along the rim of the Sunda Strait 21h27 on Saturday.

Authorities warned residents and tourists in coastal areas around the Sunda Strait to stay away from beaches and a high-tide warning remained in place through till Dec. 25.

With height of 30-90 cm, the event has produced 168 fatalities, 745 injured, 30 missing, 558 houses damaged, 9 hotel units damaged, 60 damaged food stalls, 350 boats damaged.