Papua New Guinea: Tsunami - Jul 1998

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), an earthquake with the magnitude of 7.0 on the Richter Scale was registered on the sea near the Northern coast of Papua New Guinea, on Friday, 17 July 1998, at 6,49 pm local time or 08:49 am GMT. This earthquake with a depth of 33 kilometres, triggered a tidal wave of approximately 10 meters, that crashed into north coast of Papua New Guinea, close to the coastal town of Aitape, 800 kilometres north of the capital, Port Moresby. According to preliminary information, approximately seven villages have been wiped out and destroyed, and at least 71 people have been killed. A significant number have been rendered homeless. As rescue activities continue, the number of victims is likely to increase. Latest preliminary press reports indicate that several hundreds are feared dead/missing. (OCHA, 18 Jul 1998)

The Tsunami, caused by the 17 July earthquake with a magnitude of 7.0 on the Richter Scale, has affected a 30-kilometre stretch of the coastline on Papua New Guinea's remote northwest coast. The whole area around Sissano Lagoon, with an estimated population of 10,000, comprising five villages, is reported to be totally devastated. Three waves have hit the coast in the evening of 17 July. The third wave was about 10 metres high, survivors said. According to the latest information received from the UNDP Office in Port Moresby, the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, has visited the affected area and confirmed the number of deaths as 725. This number is expected to increase considerably as a large number of people are still unaccounted for. Unconfirmed press reports indicate that 2 to 3,000 people, including a high number of children, are still missing. In addition, hundreds of people have been injured. (OCHA, 20 Jul 1998)

Casualty figures remain unconfirmed. At least 1,200 bodies have been accounted for, and have been buried. The final death toll, however, could rise - probably to over two thousand but possibly as high as three thousand. Many bodies are still awaiting recovery in the water and on the sand bar of the lagoon. To reduce the health risk, PNG authorities have been burning bodies in mass graves. (OCHA, 22 Jul 1998)

The Tsunami, caused by an earthquake with the magnitude of 7.0 on the Richter Scale on 17 July, has claimed a heavy death toll. Latest figures available indicate about 1,500 bodies have now been located, including 30 which had been drifted to northwest past the Irian Jaya border, and are now being returned by Indonesian authorities. Search for further bodies continues in the lagoon and surrounding swamps. UNDP reports dated 24 July indicate that 5,163 persons are currently in care centres and about 700 persons have received medical treatment by the various hospitals/medical teams. It is reported that all of the critically injured have now been moved out of the disaster area to medical centres. So far, there have been no reports of outbreaks of any contagious disease. (OCHA, 24 Jul 1998)

The response to the Aitape disaster is now into its twelfth day. On 26 July the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team conducted an aerial survey of the devastated area. The damage as seen from the air is one of near-total devastation with trees, vegetation and buildings mostly destroyed. Aitape is the main operation centre for the disaster where coordination and the distribution of relief items are being carried out. There are seven evacuation centres (known locally as Care Centres) located in isolated areas inland from the affected shoreline, either as part of existing neighbouring villages or in newly cleared areas. Most do not have road access and relief items and personnel have to be flown in by helicopters. The following statistics are reported by the UNDAC team as of 29 July: total population in the evacuation centres is about 9,000, missing: 28 and dead: over 2,100. (OCHA, 31 Jul 1998)