Shortly before six o'clock local time this morning, the earth started shaking in the densely-populated region around the city of Yogyakarta on the Indonesian island of Java. First estimates indicate that the earthquake could have left more than 3,000 dead and thousands injured.
Gregor Nitihardjo, director of SOS Children's Villages Indonesia, reported that there was no damage to SOS Children's Village facilities near the most-afflicted areas in Semarang and that nobody got harmed. However, Gregor Nitihardjo added that relatives of a number of SOS mothers are living in the Yogyakarta area. There are fears that some of them are among the victims and that some family houses have been destroyed.
The earthquake measuring 6.2 on the Richter scale inflicted serious damage and took a death toll greater than initially expected, Gregor Nitihardjo reported over the phone.
A team of SOS Children's Villages Indonesia was dispatched to the crisis area to assess the situation and initiate possible relief activities. In case support is required, SOS Children's Villages will focus on children who have lost their parents or are in dire need of help.