Indonesian Navy deploys 400 mariners to help victims of Cianjur earthquake
Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: The Indonesian Navy has deployed the Marine Corps comprising 400 mariners to assist in the evacuation and search for victims of the 5.6-magnitude earthquake that struck Cianjur, West Java.
“It is currently an emergency response. This morning, we sent 400 mariners, who will help evacuate and search for earthquake victims,” Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Yudo Margono, stated while releasing 400 mariners aboard 25 trucks at the Cilangkap Navy Headquarters here on Tuesday.
The mariners will also assist in repairing facilities and infrastructure damaged by the earthquake, such as communication networks and roads.
“I hope that the deployed mariners would help with the search for victims and evacuation as well as help build damaged facilities and infrastructure. We will work along with the regional disaster mitigation agency (BPBD) and related agencies in Cianjur,” Margono explained.
In addition, the Navy will hand over staple food assistance to the victims.
The 400 mariners, part of the Navy’s Task Force for Caring Cianjur, will be on duty for the next week to 14 days, as Cianjur is still put under the emergency response status.
“If it is already normal there, then we will pull the team. However, if it is still needed, then it will be on duty until it is done,” he stated.
Earlier, on Monday evening, the Navy had sent a medical team to help the injured victims.
Nine personnel of the medical team comprised general practitioners, surgeons, orthopedics, and anesthesiologists.
Furthermore, the Indonesian Navy will build a field hospital in Cianjur with extensive facilities, such as rooms for surgical operations and an intensive care unit (ICU), as well as can treat up to 100 patients.
In addition to medical personnel, the Navy has sent heavy equipment, such as excavators.
“I think Yonzeni (the engineer battalion) can be sent there to help repair damaged facilities and infrastructure,” Margono remarked.
