President Visits Banten to Observe Areas Affected By Tsunami

Pandeglang, Banten (Antaranews Jatim) - President Joko Widodo visited Banten Province to observe several areas affected by the Sunda Strait tsunami.

The president took off from the Atang Senjaya Airport, Bogor, aboard the Indonesian Air Force Helicopter EC 725 Caracal at around 9 a.m. local time for Pandeglang District.

Upon arrival in Pandeglang District, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) immediately observed the situation at various locations affected by the tsunami.

In addition, Jokowi will visit several health centers and hospitals in Pandeglang where the victims are being treated.

The president called for proper and swift handling of the impact of the tsunami disaster, according to Deputy Protocol, Press, and Media Presidential Secretariat Bey Machmudin.

During the visit, the president was accompanied by Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono, Social Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, Indonesia's Military Commander Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto, including Head of Presidential Secretariat Heru Budi Hartono.

Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan had earlier remarked that the Jakarta administration is ready to send relief aid to victims of the Sunda Strait tsunami that hit the provinces of Banten and Lampung on Saturday evening, December 22, 2018.

"Concerning assistance, we always provide what they need. We are ready. This morning, we send ambulances as well as medical and SAR teams there," Baswedan stated at the Tarakan Public Hospital, here, on Sunday evening.

The governor sent 13 ambulances from Tarakan Hospital along with medical and rescue teams to Banten to help in the evacuation process following the tsunami which claimed at least 222 lives and injured over 850 others in Banten and Lampung.

Officers of the Jakarta administration closely collaborated with their partners in Banten to coordinate the dispatch of relief aid, Baswedan noted.

Jakarta is also ready to tend to the injured victims of the tsunami triggered by the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau.

Hospitals in Jakarta are ready to treat injured victims, particularly Jakarta's residents, who become victims of the natural disaster, for free. The Jakarta administration is also bearing the funeral costs of Jakarta's residents, who lost their lives in the disaster.(*)