4 die, 700 forced to flee as earthquake hits Papuan capital Jayapura

Asia Pacific Report — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 23:18:00 +0000

An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.4 hit Papua’s capital city Jayapura on Thursday afternoon, killing four people, injuring at least five and forcing 700 to flee, emergency officials said.

The shallow earthquake with an epicenter of 10 km deep and located at coordinates 2.60 south and 140.66 east struck at 3.28pm.

Officlals said at least five houses were damaged by the earthquake — three of them heavily and two moderately.

In addition, a cafe collapsed and fell into the sea, while the building of Jayapura’s Dok 2 Hospital, two churches, a mosque, and a hotel were also damaged.

The earthquake collapsed the top part of the Cendrawasih University postgraduate building.

The Jayapura Mall building in the city centre also suffered cracks on one side of the building, and the roof of the 4th floor collapsed.

“As an effort to handle the disaster emergency, the Jayapura City Disaster Management Agency together with the Papua Province BPBD and related agencies have set up emergency tents, provided evacuation sites, public kitchens and basic support for the evacuees,” spokesperson Abdul Muhari said.

“The urgent needs are emergency tents and generators for electricity.”

Republished with permission.

Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

Armed Indonesian police break up Papuan protest at university

Asia Pacific Report — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 10:17:55 +0000

Heavily armed Indonesian security forces move in to break up student protest at Cenderawasih University, Jayapura. Video: TV WestPapua

By RNZ Pacific

Indonesian police have forcibly dispersed hundreds of West Papuan university students holding a demonstration in the provincial capital of Jayapura.

The students were peacefully protesting against the extension of special autonomy status in the Indonesian-ruled provinces of Papua and West Papua.

The demonstration at the Cenderawasih University, Jayapura, was broken up by dozens of armed police, as shots were heard being fired.

This was the latest in a series of demonstrations against special autonomy around cities in Papua and elsewhere in Indonesia.

Heavily armed Indonesian security forces move in on students at the Cenderawasih University protest, Jayapura. Image: TV WestPapua

Reports from the region last week said hundreds of demonstrators were arrested at different locations across Nabire regency.

A spokesperson for Indonesia’s government said that in order to curb the spread of covid-19 strict health protocols were being applied across the country.

This included restrictions on gatherings to a maximum of 50 people.

This article is republished by the Pacific Media Centre under a partnership agreement with RNZ.

Indonesian police stop a protest by West Papuan students at Cenderawasih University in Jayapura. Image: RNZ

Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

Cendrawasih University – Evening Report

4 die, 700 forced to flee as earthquake hits Papuan capital Jayapura

Armed Indonesian police break up Papuan protest at university