Sunda Strait Tsunami: Singapore Leaders Express Condolences

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Singapore leaders on Sunday (Dec. 23) expressed their condolences after a tsunami struck coastal areas around the Sunda Strait between the islands of Sumatra and Java in Indonesia on Saturday night.

President Halimah Yacob and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong wrote letters of condolence to Indonesia's President Joko Widodo.

In her letter to the president, Mdm Halimah wrote that she was "deeply saddened" to hear of the incident.

"Please accept my heartfelt condolences on the tsunami which struck Banten and Lampung provinces on Dec 22, 2018," wrote Mdm Halimah.

"I was deeply saddened to learn of the tragic loss of lives, injuries and destruction," she said. "The people of Singapore stand in solidarity with those affected by this tragedy."

"Our thoughts are with the people of Indonesia during this difficult time. Please do not hesitate to let us know if Singapore can be of any assistance."

Also writing to the president, Mr Lee extended his "deepest condolences" to the families and loved ones of those affected by the "unfortunate tragedy", on behalf of the government.

"I am confident that the people of Indonesia will overcome this disaster with strength and solidarity," he said. "Singapore stands ready to support the ongoing relief efforts, if required by Indonesia."

In a statement on Sunday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said there were currently no reports of Singaporeans affected by the tsunami.

"As the ground situation is still developing, the Singapore Embassy in Jakarta and the Singapore Consulate-General in Medan are in touch with the respective local authorities and monitoring the situation closely," said MFA.

It advised Singaporeans in the affected areas to monitor the local news closely and heed instructions of local authorities.

"Singaporeans are also advised to stay in touch with your family and friends so that they know you are safe," said MFA.

Separately, the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) said that there have been no reports of flights being affected due to the eruption of Indonesia's Anak Krakatau volcano so far.

However, any significant increase in volcanic activity and change in wind direction could affect flight operations in the region, it said.

Located about 850km south of Singapore, the volcano - which has been increasingly active since June - is seen as a likely cause of the deadly tsunami.

Volcanic activity from the Anak Krakatau could have triggered an underwater landslide that led to an abnormal tidal surge and the resulting tsunami, Indonesia's national disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said on Sunday.

TEMPO.CO