Ternate Flash Flood Kills 14 People, 8 Remains Missing

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The government of Ternate, North Maluku, has declared emergency response status against flash floods for the next two weeks. Flash floods hit Rua Village, Ternate Island Sub-district on Sunday morning, August 25, 2024, after a few days of continuous heavy rain. 

As many as 14 people have been found dead and eight remain missing as of Sunday evening after authorities put a temporary halt on search and rescue. Four excavators are seen on the ground to clean up mud, rocks, and woods blocking the main road amidst the persistent rainfall.

“We have established disaster relief posts in Rua Village and express our deep condolences for the residents affected by the disaster,” said Ternate City Regional Secretary Rizal Marsaoly on Sunday.

Residents are sheltered in several places, including the Kastela Village Cruise Vocational High School and Rua Village Elementary School. According to Rizal, the Ternate Government will keep focusing on the ongoing evacuation. 

Rizal also explained that his side will ensure the flash flood’s victims’ names for data accuracy since the government’s disaster relief team recorded 11 people have died; 7 men and 4 women. Meanwhile, wounded residents are being treated in three hospitals.

The evacuation process for flash flood victims in Ternate involves a joint rescue team comprising of the police and military, the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), and other relevant institutions. The police deployed 250 personnel, while the Indonesian Armed Forces deployed 120 personnel. Additionally, Ternate BPBD includes 77 personnel, Basarnas 15 personnel, and the Indonesian Red Cross 23 personnel.

To accommodate the flash flood evacuation process, authorities prepared 9 units of ambulances, 3 units of firetrucks, and 4 units of excavators. “Based on the report, around 30 houses are buried under 1 to 4-meter-high mud,” said AKBP Indra Andiarta from the North Maluku Regional Police Department Mobile Brigade. 

ANTARA

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