U.S. EMBASSY  WARDEN MESSAGE

May 28, 2006

U.S. Embassy Jakarta
U.S. Consulate General Surabaya
Warden Message
 

The U.S. Embassy informs Americans in Indonesia that an earthquake measuring 6.2 on the Richter Scale struck near Yogyakarta on Saturday, May 27, 2006, at 5:54 am. The center of the earthquake was located 15 miles SSW from Yogyakarta. As of May 28, Indonesian authorities report more than 3,000 dead and thousands injured from the earthquake.

The Embassy urges Americans to defer all non-essential travel to Yogyakarta and the surrounding area. The Yogyakarta Airport runway was damaged in the earthquake and airline service remains limited until further notice. The Embassy has reports that bus and train service from Yogyakarta to Solo and Jakarta are still available. Taxi service from Yogyakarta to Solo, the nearest operating airport, is available but limited.

Americans in the city of Yogyakarta should consider leaving. Although the city center was not heavily damaged, health facilities are overwhelmed with casualties from the earthquake. Water and electricity services have been interrupted. Cellular telephone networks are operating but may experience periods of overload or outage. Americans who decide to remain in Yogyakarta are encouraged to contact their families in the U.S. by e-mail or cell phone.

Mt. Merapi volcano, located 15 miles from Yogyakarta, remains at the highest alert status. Indonesian vulcanology experts have not yet determined what the effect of the earthquake will be on the likelihood of additional lava flows and eruptions from Mt. Merapi, though Merapi has shown increased activity since the earthquake. The Embassy strongly urges all American citizens to avoid the area around Mt. Merapi and to obey all instructions from Indonesian police and civil authorities.

The Embassy reminds all Americans of the need to avoid crowds, to maintain a low profile, and to be vigilant about security at all times. The information in the November 18, 2005 Travel Warning for Indonesia remains valid. All security-related Travel Warnings and Public Announcements, recent Embassy warden messages, and registration information are posted on the Embassy’s website at http://jakarta.usembassy.gov .

The Embassy is located at Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan, No. 4-5, Jakarta; the 24-hour telephone number is 021-3435-9000. The telephone number of the Consulate General in Surabaya is 031-295-6400; the telephone number of the U.S. Consular Agency in Bali is 0361-233-605.