Homepage > News > World > 

Indonesian quake-stricken people in deep sorrow for family's losses

2009-09-03 13:08 BJT

by Cundoko Aprilianto

JAKARTA, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- Yoyok Tarwia, a 40-year-old furniture vendor in Indonesian capital Jakarta, was heartbroken when he found his son died, his wife injured and their house collapsed when a powerful earthquake hit his hometown in Tasikmalaya Regency of Indonesia.

Residents take shelter outside their damaged houses in the West Java town of Sukabumi on Sept. 2, 2009. A 7.3-magnitude earthquake hit West Java on Wednesday, leaving some 42 people killed, more than 400 wounded and some 40 still missing. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)
Residents take shelter outside their damaged houses in the West Java town of
Sukabumi on Sept. 2, 2009. A 7.3-magnitude earthquake hit West Java on Wednesday,
leaving some 42 people killed, more than 400 wounded and some 40 still missing.
(Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)

The quake, measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale, rocked West Java on Wednesday, causing panic and deep sorrow among the people in the stricken areas.

Yoyok's six-year-old son is one of the victims in the disaster. The death toll, which has been on a rise, has hit 44, according to the latest tally.

"He and his mother were hit by a collapsing wall while they were trying to get out of the house. But he failed to escape," said the father.

Yoyok said he chatted with his boy on telephone an hour before the accident.

"He was not much of a talker. But that day he was more talkative. He wanted me to buy him shoes for Islamic festivity of Lebaran. I got home only to find my kid breathless ..." the father said, with tears welling up in his eyes.

Yoyok's house and his neighbor's were leveled to the ground. They were among the worst affected families in Sukasetia village of Cisayong sub-district in Tasikmalaya regency.

Editor: Zhang Pengfei | Source: Xinhua