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Hasyim: Disaster not to reduced as a mere natural phenomenon

NU Online  ·  Kamis, 8 Oktober 2009 | 10:20 WIB

Jakarta, NU Online
General chairman of the Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama called on people including experts not to reduce the natural disaster as a mere natural phenomenon, saying that it should be such a means for human to be aware of not easily making mistakes. 

"God has created human as representatives (khalifah) on earth. If they have forgotten their duties, God's other creatures, including nature would give them warnings," he told NU Online recently.<>

Asked why disaster also hit Padang in which its community is quite religious, adding that disasters could take place in various regions such as the Lapindo mudflow in Sidoarjo, hurricane, flood, and so on.

As reported the number of people killed in the Sumatra earthquake has continued to climb, as rescue efforts gather pace in and around the devastated city of Padang.

Some 295 victims have remained missing, 746 others were seriously and 1,344 slightly injured.

The quake also caused major damage to 101,653 houses, moderate damage to 48,966 houses, and minor damage to 49,026 houses.

The quake was centered 78 km northwest of Padang, the capital of West Sumatra province, at a depth of 71 km in the seabed. (mkf)