TNI Deploys Aircraft To Help Earthquake Victims Of West Sulawesi

Illustration - Air Force Hercules Aircraft. (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Air Force deployed a number of planes to help victims affected by the 6.2 magnitude earthquake in Majene, West Sulawesi, which occurred Friday morning.

Kadispenau TNI Marsma Indan Gilang B in a written statement, in Jakarta, Friday, said that according to the instructions of TNI Commander Marshal TNI Hadi Tjahjanto, Kasau Marshal TNI Fadjar Prasetyo ordered to dispatch Boeing 737 aircraft from Air Squadron 5 Sultan Hasanuddin Base.

"This is to ensure the situation and condition of areas affected by natural disasters and damage from the air," he said as quoted by Antara, Friday, January 15.

The Indonesian Air Force also alerted C-130 Hercules aircraft from Air Squadron 33 Hasanuddin Air Base and Air Squadron 31 Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base, CN 295 aircraft from Air Squadron 2 Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base, and a Super Puma NAS-332 Helicopter from Air Squadron 6 Atang Sendjaja Base. standby SAR Lanud Sultan Hasanuddin.

"The planes are for Search and Rescue (SAR) support, evacuation, and logistical assistance to residents of communities affected by the disaster," said Indan.

He added that the assistance to earthquake victims was a manifestation of the presence of the State through the Indonesian Air Force for communities affected by disasters.

"At the same time it is the implementation of the TNI's duties in Military Operations Apart from War (OMSP), one of which is the handling of natural disasters," he said.

Previously, an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2 which occurred in the Majene Regency, West Sulawesi Province, on Friday at 01.28 WIB caused casualties and damage to buildings.

"The Mamuju BPBD report, three people died and 24 (people) were injured. As many as 2,000 residents fled to a safer place," said Head of Disaster Data, Information and Communication Center for the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Raditya Jati in BNPB press release.

According to him, the Maleo Hotel building and the West Sulawesi Governor's Office in the Mamuju Regency area suffered heavy damage due to the earthquake whose center was about six km northeast of Majene.

In Majene, according to a report by the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), the earthquake triggered landslides at three points along the axis of the Majene-Mamuju road, causing access to be cut off and causing damage to 62 houses, one health center, and the Malunda Military Military Command Office.