Eyewitness Account From Indonesian Tsunami Survivor

Author: Transworld Surf

After a 7.5-magnitude earthquake rocked the small islands in the southern part of the Mentawai island chain, a 9-foot tsunami swept into the popular anchorage and surf spot, Macaronis. Being late in the season, there were only a few boats anchored in the normally tranquil waters. According to reports, one boat, the Midas, burst into flames after being thrown by the powerful wave into another nearby boat. The guests and crew on the Midas tossed everything they had that floated into the water (a good rule of thumb in those kind of situations) and jumped in. They swam to the beach and climbed into trees and waited and waited for another deadly wave. As you can imagine, reports are vague as it takes 12 hours via boat to get to these remote islands, but we have heard that the surf camp at Macaronis has been leveled.

While none of the foreign surfers were seriously injured, the LA Times is reporting that 113 people have been reported dead with many more missing. As well, there is a boat full of Aussies on the “Southern Cross” that has not been heard from. Our thoughts and prayers are with them and all others affected by this tragedy.

Ed. note: The Southern Cross has been contacted and everyone aboard is okay.

The lagoon front villas at Macaronis pre-tsunami.

The Midas surf charter boat before it took a direct hit from a tsunami while anchored at Macaronis.

See below for an article from the LA Times…

JAKARTA, Indonesia —

A powerful earthquake triggered a 10-foot (three-meter) tsunami that pounded remote island villages in western Indonesia, killing at least 113 people and leaving scores more missing, an official said Tuesday.

The fault that ruptured Monday on Sumatra island’s coast also caused the 2004 quake amd monster Indian Ocean tsunami that killed 230,000 people in a dozen countries.

A day after the quake struck 13 miles (20 kilometers) beneath the ocean floor, rescuers were still struggling to get to the Mentawai islands — which are closest to the epicenter — because of strong winds and rough seas on the way to the islands that can only be reached by a 12-hour boat ride.

Read the Full Article

Recent Articles

Eyewitness Account From Indonesian Tsunami Survivor