The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Tue, 10/20/2009 7:51 PM
More than 2,000 residents of Menui Island in the Central Sulawesi regency of Morowali have streamed into Bungku Tengah district and the provincial capital of Kendari to seek refuge following a magnitude 5.8 earthquake that jolted the province last Friday.
Morowali Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Deden Garnada said the quake had stirred panic among the residents as rumors had circulated that the tremor would sink the island.
“It was the work of irresponsible people,” Deden said.
The refugees are being sheltered at village office halls, school buildings and local residents’ houses.
Deden said the quake slightly damaged 19 houses and three places of worship, causing about Rp 70 million in losses.
The quake caused no direct fatalities, except for three Menui Island people who drowned when their overloaded boat capsized as they were seeking refuge on the mainland.
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