U.N. Puts Rising Indonesia Death Toll at 1100

By By Aaron J. Leichman Oct 2, 2009 10:33 EDT

The United Nations' humanitarian chief said Thursday the powerful earthquakes that struck Indonesia have killed at least 1,100 people, while a government official said at least 777 people have been found dead.

During a press conference on natural disasters in the Asia-Pacific region, John Holmes said the latest figures received "suggest the death toll has risen already to 1,100" in the aftermath of Wednesday's 7.6-magnitude earthquake, which was followed by another earthquake Thursday morning.

The U.N. emergency relief coordinator and under-secretary-general for Humanitarian Affairs said he feared thousands more were trapped in the rubble of homes, hotels, hospitals and schools destroyed or badly damaged.

"There is a lot of emergency relief needed in all these cases," he said, describing a series of tsunami, earthquake and severe weather events that jolted the Region in the past week.

Most Popular

Reflections on attending the 2025 International Gospel Conference

Over the past few days, I had the privilege of traveling to Jakarta for the 2025 International Gospel Conference organized by Stephen Tong Evangelistic Ministries International (STEMI).
[Exclusive] Watoto Asia director Rev. Sunny Cheng: bringing life-changing education from Africa!

Watoto—an international Christian child-care ministry—held “Emily: A Life Story” in Hong Kong to promote “Keep a Girl in School” poverty-relief campaign. Following it, Rev. Sunny Cheng, the Asia Regional Director of Watoto, shared about his remarkable journey in ministry with Gospel Herald.
Silicon Valley’s River of Life Christian Church to hold 2025 missions conference: “united in mission, unlimited possibilities”

River of Life Christian Church (ROLCC), the largest Chinese church in the United States located in Silicon Valley, will host its 2025 Missions Conference from October 17–19 under the theme “United in Mission, Unlimited Possibilities.”
Corey Jackson Urges on Capitol Hill: Care for the Hearts and Souls of the Chinese People

Western society often views China primarily through the lenses of geopolitics and economics, but as a pastor and evangelical Presbyterian, Rev. Corey Jackson is most concerned with the hearts, minds, and souls of people—not only in the United States, but also in China.
USCIRF hearing calls for the release of Pastor Ezra Mingri Jin

At a hearing held on October 16, the USCIRF urged the U.S. government to take action to secure the release of Pastor Ezra Mingri Jin and others imprisoned for practicing their faith.