World News
Death toll from devastating earthquake in Indonesia rises to 252
Eva Deschamps / November 22, 2022
The death toll from the 5.6-magnitude earthquake that struck the Indonesian island of Java has been raised to 252, a spokesman for the local government of Cianjur told AFP on Tuesday. The local government of Cianjur, the city hardest hit by Monday’s quake, announced on its Instagram account a new death toll of 252, 31 missing and more than 300 injured. “This is the official data,” confirmed Adam, a spokesman for the local administration on the phone. Rescue workers were working Tuesday to find survivors among the rubble.
The epicenter of the 5.6 magnitude earthquake was located near the town of Cianjur, in West Java province, the most populous province in this Southeast Asian archipelago. The victims died in the collapse of buildings, but also in landslides triggered by the tremors that hit this very hilly region. Indonesian President Joko Widodo promised compensation during a visit to the site, asking the rescue teams “to mobilize their staff” to allow above all the evacuation of victims.
Today we are focusing on extracting victims buried by the landslides,” Rudy Saladin, a local military official, told AFP. “It is possible that there are more victims,” he said. Drone footage shows the extent of the earthquake damage: bulldozers are trying to clear a road after an entire hillside of brown earth collapsed.
Rescuers are trying to pick their way through debris and fallen trees to reach areas where residents are believed to be trapped, Dimas Reviansyah, a 34-year-old rescuer working alongside dozens of others, tells AFP. “I haven’t slept at all since yesterday (Monday) but I have to keep going because there are victims who have not been found,” he says.
Among the victims were students at an Islamic boarding school and residents who were killed in their homes when the roof or walls fell in. “The room collapsed and my legs were buried under the rubble. It all happened so fast,” 14-year-old Aprizal Mulyadi told AFP, who was pulled to safety by one of his friends who later died.
The search is made more difficult by blocked roads and power outages in this rural area where houses are made of both wood and concrete. More than 2,000 homes were damaged. Some 13,000 people have been moved to evacuation centers, said Ridwan Kamil, governor of West Java. The official announced Monday evening that 162 people had died.
In the towns, doctors were treating patients outdoors as well as in improvised care units in tents after the earthquake, which shook buildings in the capital, Jakarta. In a photo taken by an AFP photographer, a father is seen carrying the body of his son wrapped in a white shroud in his arms through his village near Cianjur.
Many other residents continued to search for their missing loved ones amidst the chaos Rahmi Leonita’s father was on his motorcycle when the earthquake shook the town of Cianjur and she has been looking for him since the day before. “His phone is switched off. I am in shock. I am very worried but I still have hope” to find him, said the 38-year-old Indonesian with tears streaming down her cheeks.
At a shelter in Ciherang village near the town of Cianjur, victims, including babies and young children, sit on corrugated iron sheets. Nunung, a 37-year-old mother who like many Indonesians has only one name, rescued her son from the disaster by pulling him out of the debris of their collapsed house. “I had to free us by digging. There is nothing left, I could not save anything,” she told AFP the face covered with dried blood.
The damage from the earthquake, which struck after 1:20 p.m. local time on Monday, was compounded by more than 60 aftershocks ranging from magnitude 1.8 to 4 in the city of Cianjur, home to some 175,000 people. According to the national geology agency, the nature of the terrain of the region, friable volcanic deposits of the quaternary, “may have accentuated the shocks” seismic created by an active fault.
Located on the Pacific “belt of fire” where tectonic plates meet, Indonesia is regularly faced with earthquakes or volcanic eruptions. In January 2021 an earthquake of magnitude 6.2 killed more than 100 people on the island of Sulawesi.
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Datareportal, a leading authority in global digital insights, has released its highly anticipated “Digital 2024: Yemen” report, showcasing remarkable advancements in digital adoption across the country amidst ongoing challenges.
Key findings from the report include:
1. Internet Penetration Growth: Internet penetration in Yemen has surged by 22% from the previous year, with an estimated 10.5 million Yemenis now having access to the internet, representing 36% of the population.
2. Mobile Connectivity: Mobile devices remain the primary means of internet access, with smartphone ownership increasing by 18%, reaching a total of 9.2 million users. This growth is attributed to expanded mobile network coverage and more affordable data plans.
3. Social Media Usage: Social media usage has seen a significant uptick, with platforms like Facebook experiencing a 30% increase in active users, now totaling 7.8 million Yemenis. WhatsApp and YouTube follow closely, each with over 6 million active users.
4. E-Commerce Expansion: E-commerce has boomed, witnessing a 45% rise in online transactions compared to the previous year. The total value of e-commerce transactions in 2024 reached USD 360 million, indicating a growing preference for digital shopping experiences.
5. Digital Payments Surge: Digital payment systems have gained widespread adoption, with mobile money users growing by 55% to reach 4.3 million users. This surge in digital payments has led to a 25% decrease in cash transactions across various sectors.
While Yemen continues to face challenges, the rapid growth in digital adoption is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of its people,” said [SIMON KEMP], at Datareportal. “These numbers reflect the transformative potential of digital technologies in driving economic growth and improving access to essential services.
The report also sheds light on ongoing challenges such as intermittent power outages and internet disruptions, which hinder seamless digital integration. Additionally, the cost of digital access remains relatively high for many Yemenis, highlighting the need for continued efforts to enhance affordability and accessibility.
For a detailed analysis and access to the full “Digital 2024: Yemen” report, visit [Website URL].
– About Datareportal
Datareportal is a leading provider of comprehensive digital insights, empowering businesses, policymakers, and stakeholders with data-driven decision-making tools. With a commitment to accuracy and depth, Datareportal remains at the forefront of global digital trends and transformations.
Fuad Al-Qrize ( Arabic: فؤاد الكريزي ) – Yemeni Writer
World News
Moscow attack: Vladimir Putin promises those responsible will all be “punished”, EI says four of its fighters carried out the attack
Eva Deschamps / March 23,
At least 133 people were killed on Friday evening in an armed attack followed by a huge fire at a concert hall on the outskirts of Moscow, which was claimed by the jihadist group Islamic State (EI).
The four perpetrators” of the attack were arrested “on their way to Ukraine”, said the Russian president on Saturday March 23.
The Russian president spoke at a time of terrible tragedy in Russia. “The four perpetrators” of the attack near Moscow were arrested “on their way to Ukraine”, he said in a televised speech broadcast the day after the murderous attack. “According to initial data [from investigators], on the Ukrainian side, a passage had been prepared for them to cross the border”, he continued, notes Le Monde.
The attack, which killed at least 133 people near Moscow, was in the eyes of the Kremlin leader a “bloody and barbaric act of terrorism”. “Peaceful, innocent people […] including children, teenagers and women” were killed, he continued, adding, “I express my deepest and most sincere condolences to those who have lost their loved ones.” A national day of mourning will be observed on March 24.
“War”. In his speech, Vladimir Putin assured that “those behind these terrorists will be punished” and that they “will have no future”. On Saturday, the Kremlin announced that eleven people had been arrested, including the four suspects who carried out the attack.
Sylvie Claire / March 23,
After weeks of silence from the British royal family, cancer-stricken Princess Kate has announced that she has begun chemotherapy.
Princess Kate explains that it has taken them some time to explain the situation to their children George, Charlotte and Louis. She concludes her message: “But for now, I need to focus on my full recovery. I am also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer. For anyone facing this disease in any form, don’t lose faith or hide. You are not alone.
2024 Report Highlights Major Digital Growth in Yemen
A New Era of Global Communication Through Outernet
