Sigli, Aceh (Antara Bali) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) here on Friday visited Tengku Chik Ditiro Regional Hospital in Sigli, Pidie District, to meet victims of a strong earthquake that hit several districts in Aceh Province on Wednesday (Dec 7).

Flanked by Health Minister Nila F Moeloek, National Police Chief General Tito Karnavian, Public Works and Public Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, acting Governor of Aceh Sudarmo and Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, among others, Jokowi was greeted by the hospital management upon his arrival at around 8:30 a.m. local time.

"More than 400 victims of the earthquake in Pidie Jaya District have been treated by doctors at the Sigli hospital," Director of Tengku Chik Ditiro Hospital Dentist Mohd Riza Faisal Mars said.

Most of the victims suffered broken bones, bruises, and minor injuries.

"Three patients who are seriously wounded have been referred to Banda Aceh, while those who are slightly injured have been treated by the doctors (here). Several of them have been allowed to go home, and a few others are still receiving intensive treatment," he remarked.

Doctors at the hospital remain ready to serve patients, and the medicine supply is adequate, according to Mars.

A total of 103 deaths have been confirmed from the 6.5-magnitude earthquake that rocked several districts in Aceh Province.

Some 8 thousand inhabitants were seriously or slightly injured in the disaster, and they were evacuated to receive medical treatment, Sudarmo noted in Pidie Jaya, Thursday, while accompanying Home Affairs Minister Tjahjo Kumolo.

"All the victims who are seriously or slightly injured have been treated by medical workers in hospitals or at emergency response command posts," he stressed.

The victims are residents of the sub-districts of Pante Raja, Bandar Dua, Tringgadeng, Meureudu, Bandar Baru, and Alee Glee.

The earthquake, which destroyed several houses, school buildings, and places of worship, occurred at 5:03 a.m. local time on Wednesday, with its epicenter at 5.19 degrees northern latitude and 96.36 degrees eastern longitude, at a depth of 10 kilometers on land, some 18 km northeast of Pidie Jaya, OR 120 km of Banda Aceh, the capital of Aceh Province. (WDY)

Pewarta: Reported by Agus Salim

Editor : I Gusti Bagus Widyantara


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