CRISIS CENTRE DIOCESE OF AMBOINA
Jalan Pattimura 32 -- Ambon 97124 -- Indonesia
Tel 0062 (0)911 342195 Fax 0062 (0)911 355337
E-mail: crisiscentre01@hotmail.com
Ambon, 12 January 2005
THE SITUATION IN AMBON/MOLUCCAS - Report No. 460
1. 'TSUNAMITIS' - Probably like everywhere in the world where people live near the
coast, many people in the Moluccas are speculating on the possibility of a tsunami
disaster in their own area. In "Ambon Ekspres" daily newspaper we read about what
is happening in the little town of Tehoru on the South coast of Ceram Island. Its
residents seem to be alarmed by rumours of an impending tsunami catastrophe and
have sought refuge in the nearby hills. Similar reports reach us from the Kei Islands
(S.E. Moluccas). Indeed, many villages in the Moluccas, bordering the sea, lie on
grounds that are only a little elevated above sea level.
2. HELICOPTER CRASHES; NARROW ESCAPE GOVERNOR C.S. - On Tuesday,
January 11, the island of Wetar (North of Timor Lorosae / East Timor) was visited by
the Governor of the Moluccas Province, Karel Albert Ralahalu. He was on a tour,
dropping in at several locations as far as Kupang and Atambua. He was accompanied
by the provincial military chief and police chief and other high officials, totalling nine
passengers. Having lifted the helicopter which was used by the party, but meeting
sudden blustery weather the pilot decided to return. However having come down to
seven meters' (twenty feet) altitude, the tail of the heli came into contact with some
obstacle causing the aircraft to crash. Fortunately nobody was hurt.
C.J.Böhm msc,
Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina |
