Dozens of people have been killed after a tsunami hit the coast around Indonesia’s Sunda Strait, according to government officials. The national disaster management agency said hundreds of people were hurt and many buildings were damaged after the tsunami struck on Saturday night.
The worst affected area was the Pandeglang region of Banten province in Java, which encompasses the Ujung Kulon National Park and popular beaches, the agency said. Of the 43 reported deaths, 33 were in Pandeglang.
Television footage showed roads blocked by debris from damaged houses, overturned cars and fallen trees. The water washed away an outdoor stage where a local rock band was performing, killing at least one musician. Others were missing.
In the city of Bandar Lampung on southern Sumatra, hundreds of residents took refuge at the governor’s office.
Physical losses included 430 heavily damaged homes, nine heavily damaged hotels and 10 heavily damaged vessels.
The agency added that one possible cause of the tsunami was undersea landslides after the Anak Krakatoa volcano erupted. The Sunda Strait, between the islands of Java and Sumatra, connects the Java Sea to the Indian Ocean.
According to a statement from Indonesia’s meteorology, climatology and geophysics agency (BMKG), “the tsunami hit several areas of the Sunda Strait, including beaches in Pandeglang regency, Serang, and South Lampung”.
The tsunami struck at around 9.30pm local time on Saturday night. It is believed to have been caused by volcano activity and there were no “significant” seismic tremors to indicate a tsunami was coming.
Authorities have warned residents and tourists in coastal areas around the Sunda Strait to stay away from beaches and a high-tide warning remains in place until December 25.
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