Indonesia Dam Burst Kills Over 60 and Engulfs Town

World | March 27, 2009, Friday // 10:17
Indonesia Dam Burst Kills Over 60 and Engulfs Town: Indonesia Dam Burst Kills Over 60 and Engulfs Town Photo by bbc.co.uk

A dam has burst south-west of the Indonesia capital Jakarta, killing at least 60 people.

Witnesses said a "horrifying" flash flood of water up to 4m deep engulfed hundreds of homes in Cirendeu in the Tangerang district.

Officials say they expect the death toll to rise. It is not clear what caused the dam to burst, but an official said the Situ Gintung lake behind the dam became overloaded after hours of heavy rain.

Thick mud is hampering rescue teams, but the waters have now begun to recede. The incident happened at about 1900 GMT in what is a popular tourist area. A surge of water laden with debris slammed into the suburb of small, poorly built houses, sweeping away cars and toppling telephone lines.

Television footage showed rescue workers wading through deep water and bodies being pulled from the mud. The authorities have sent 150 body bags, the BBC reported Thursday.

Local media said Indonesia's President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was planning to travel to the scene of the disaster.

 

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!

World » Be a reporter: Write and send your article
Tags: Indonesia, Dam, floods, Situ Gintung lake, Jakarta, Cirendeu, Tangerang district, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono

Advertisement
Advertisement
Bulgaria news Novinite.com (Sofia News Agency - www.sofianewsagency.com) is unique with being a real time news provider in English that informs its readers about the latest Bulgarian news. The editorial staff also publishes a daily online newspaper "Sofia Morning News." Novinite.com (Sofia News Agency - www.sofianewsagency.com) and Sofia Morning News publish the latest economic, political and cultural news that take place in Bulgaria. Foreign media analysis on Bulgaria and World News in Brief are also part of the web site and the online newspaper. News Bulgaria