Indonesian storm death toll rises to 14 – official

JAKARTA – The death toll from heavy rains and strong winds in Indonesia has risen to 14, an official said Sunday, with the victims of a tropical cyclone crushed by falling trees.

“In total, 14 people died, 60 people were injured,” National Disaster Management Agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said in a text message to AFP.

“The 14 killed were crushed by falling trees,” he added.

More than 2,300 houses in 35 districts and cities across the central island of Java and resort destination of Bali were also damaged due to heavy rains in the last four days, Nugroho said.

The “massive” rainstorms were brought about by Tropical Cyclone Iggy in the Indian Ocean, south of Bali and the nearby Nusa Tenggara islands, he added.

“But now the Tropical cyclone Iggy has weakened and it’s moving away from Indonesia,” the official added.

Last week, the Jakarta Globe newspaper reported a ferry carrying more than 200 people, including five Australians, heading to the Gili islands off Bali nearly capsized after being caught in waves up to three metres (10 feet) high, but there were no casualties.

Storms, landslides and floods are common in Indonesia during the annual rainy season, which peaks between December and February.