Hoax text message spreads tsunami terror in Indonesia

[<rms () computerbytesman com>]

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=070606101917.31jf2eyb&show_article=1

Hoax text message spreads tsunami terror in Indonesia
Jun 6 06:19 AM US/Eastern

Thousands of people fled their homes in panic on the Indonesian coast after
hoax text messages spread warning them that a tsunami will hit the region,
journalists and officials said Wednesday. 

"The possibility is that a tsunami may take place on June 7," said part of a
short telephone text message (SMS) that is widely circulating in various
coastal areas of Nusa Tenggara province, local journalists said. 

A check of several coastal districts in the province showed that thousands
had left their homes on the coast in at least three districts to flee to
higher grounds since Tuesday, they said. 

In the Kodi subdistrict of West Sumba district, hundreds of people had fled
away from the coast, the local subdistrict head, Bernard Pelle told AFP. 
"Rumours are running strong in the district that a tsunami will strike the
region on June 7," Pelle said. 

The regional meteorology and geophysics office said that the SMS warning did
not come from their office. 

"Earthquakes and tsunami cannot be predicted and we have not issued such
warning," office head Rivai Marulak told AFP. 

However, most residents refused to return to their coastal home fearing if
the rumour should come true, the journalist added. 

A false tsunami alarm on Monday sparked a general panic in the capital of
Indonesia's Aceh province, causing thousands of people to frantically
scamper to higher ground. 

The 2004 tsunami killed more than 168,000 people in Aceh alone. Indonesia
was the nation worst hit by the tsunami, which also laid waste to other
regions on the rim of the Indian Ocean. 



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