Dubai family loses three relatives

Dubai: Indonesians here are in shock as they wait for any news of loved ones in the central Java city of Yogyakarta and surrounding areas, hit by a quake that has killed and injured thousands.

Most get scanty pieces of information through text messages from friends and relatives in Indonesia.

The pre-dawn 6.2 Richter scale earthquake destroyed bridges and roads, and disrupted electricity supplies and communication lines.

So far, the Indonesian Consulate General has received news that a family in Dubai has lost three relatives in Yogyakarta. Another family reported their relatives were injured in the disaster.

Other reports the Consulate-General, Muchtar, received involved destruction of property in the residents' hometown. Most of the information came through via text messages.

One couple, whose family died in the tremor were leaving for Indonesia as soon as they could get a flight.

Preparations

"They're making their preparations to go home," the Consul General said. He too is affected as his siblings lived in Klaten, one of the hardest hit areas.

"Fortunately, my family is safe. They just felt the building moving," he said. Four UAE residents, including three consulate officers, reported their family were safe with minor destruction to property.

All were stunned that such a deadly earthquake hit Yogyakarta.

"This is the first time perhaps, in hundreds of years," said Susanto, who works at an engineering company in Dubai, and whose parents-in-law were injured, one of them critically, in the disaster.

He told Gulf News that the earthquake levelled his in-laws' home in Bambang Lipuro, a suburb of Yogyakarta, as they slept.

"The house collapsed. My brother-in-law felt the tremors and jumped out, knocking his head. When he came to, he realised his parents were still inside," he said.

He said his brother-in-law managed to pull out his parents, who were both unconscious, and took them to the hospital. He added that his father-in-law broke a leg and his mother-in-law had a severe head wound.

His biggest dilemma now is whether he and his family leave for Indonesia.

"My wife has been crying. She wants to go home and be with her family, but our daughters have their exams next week," he said.

"Maybe next week," he added, sighing.

Muchtar said Indonesians who have not been able to contact any family members should call the consulate for assistance.

A majority of the 75,000 Indonesians in the UAE are from West Java, many with families in Yogyakarta.

At the time of gong to press, the death toll from the earthquake had reached over 3,000.

The Indonesia Consulate General said the casualty list would not be available for another few days. "The focus right now is to search and rescue and on survivors," said Muchtar, the consul general. He added that the consulate was not asking for any aid for the time-being. However, any funds are welcome if a member of the public wishes to donate.

Consulate phone number

"If anybody wants to give assistance, don't hesitate to call the consulate," Muchtar said. He said the consulate would channel the funds to the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI). The public may call the consulate at 04 3985666.