New Delhi: A powerful earthquake killed more than 160 people and left hundreds injured in Indonesia’s West Java province on Monday.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar condoled the loss of lives in a powerful earthquake and said India ‘stands in solidarity’ with Indonesia at this difficult time.
“Saddened to hear news about the loss of life and property in Java, Indonesia from the earthquake,” Jaishankar said on Twitter.
“My thoughts are with the bereaved families. Wish the injured a speedy recovery. India stands in solidarity with Indonesia at this difficult time,” he said.
Saddened to hear news about the loss of life and property in Java, Indonesia from the earthquake.
My thoughts are with the bereaved families. Wish the injured a speedy recovery. India stands in solidarity with Indonesia at this difficult time. @Menlu_RI
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (Modi Ka Parivar) (@DrSJaishankar) November 21, 2022
The 5.6 magnitude quake was near the town of Cianjur in West Java, about 75 km southeast of the capital, Jakarta.
West Java governor Ridwan Kamil said on Instagram that 162 people had been killed and 326 were injured. “The majority of those who died were children,” he said.
Many were public school students who had finished their regular classes and were taking extra lessons at Islamic schools, he said.
Kamil said more than 13,000 people whose homes had been heavily damaged were being taken to evacuation centres, as reported by AP.
Earthquakes are common in Indonesia, which sits on the “ring of fire” area of tectonic activity in the Pacific.
