(Image Source: Jakarta Globe)

BY JIM FLINK

Twin disasters have created chaos and calamity in Indonesia. More than 300 people are dead -- another 400 missing -- after a magnitude-7.7 earthquake and subsequent tsunami ripped through the Mentawai Islands region of Indonesia. 24 hours later, a volcano erupted killing 30 more. Now, even in the midst of aftershocks, tidal waves and potential secondary eruptions, a scramble is on to help survivors in a remote region racked by communication breakdowns.

We’re analyzing coverage from CNN International, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Euronews.

First to CNN, who has a reporter on the ground. She describes the conditions rescuers are facing in trying to reach such a remote region of islands. With the death toll still rising, getting aid to the islands in a timely manner becomes critical.

“It is such a remote area where this tsunami has hit the hardest. These islands will take about 14 hours by boat, by water, to get to to be able to give aid to those who desperately need it, so the worry is that number will rise once again.”

Some say, communication broke down -- both before and after the disasters. The New York Times talks with a relief administrator who says, tsunami victims had just five minutes from when the earthquake struck to find safety.

“...Indonesia’s tsunami warning system did not cover the Mentawais but ... this was because of the short time it would take for a wave caused by an undersea quake along the nearby fault line to reach them. ... Downed communications meant that radio was the only way of communicating with many areas.”

The Wall Street Journal notes, the rescue efforts are being hampered on a number of fronts. These islands are remote -- and that’s only the half of it.

“Aid teams also were struggling to cope with challenges at Indonesia's Mt. Merapi, (mer-OP-ee) an active volcano on the island of Java that erupted late Tuesday... Among the dead was an 83-year-old man known locally as a guardian of the volcano's spirits and a leader of ceremonies there to appease them.”

Euronews has more on the sheer devastation of these two natural disasters, striking so closely together.

“Mount Marapi’s eruption has forced thousands of villagers to flee their homes, which are now covered in a blanket of white ash. Authorities are warning people not to return despite a lull in volcanic activity today ... Dozens of people have been transferred to nearby hospitals for treatment of their injuries: Mainly severe burns and respiratory problems.”

France 24 notes, officials are now focusing on preventing disease.

“Already authorities are predicting possible outbreaks of malaria and water-borne illnesses as well. So you know, in the coming days, they’re going to have to try really hard to prevent any further humanitarian catastrophe.”

The New York Times has a slide show of the twin disasters on its website. We have a link in our transcript section.
 

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