Earthquake and Tsunami in Indonesia Leaves 40 Dead, Hundreds Missing

Indonesian officials announced Tuesday that Monday’s earthquake off Sumatra Island killed at least 40 people and left 380 others missing. The earthquake had a preliminary magnitude of 7.5. It was later upgraded to a 7.7 magnitude. The epicenter was located 149 miles south of Padang.

Immediately after the earthquake, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami watch, but said “a destructive widespread tsunami threat does not exist based on historical earthquake and tsunami data.” However, the earthquake did generate a significant tsunami. Witnesses reported seeing an 18-foot high wave. At least one village with about 200 residents was completely swept away. Only 40 of those villagers have been found. Residents of Mentawai Island reported seeing a nearly 10-foot high wave.

Meanwhile, officials of Java Island began evacuating villages near Mount Merapi on Monday. Volcanologists say there has been a major increase in volcanic activity at the 9,737 foot volcano over the past week and an eruption is imminent.

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