Tsunami Strikes
The week's news at a glance.
Java
An earthquake in the Indian Ocean this week launched a wall of water 6 feet high that crashed into the Indonesian coast. The tsunami wiped out coastal villages on Java, killing more than 300 people. Rescue workers found bodies lodged in treetops. Some 50,000 people were left homeless, and the government has appealed for international help. “I saw enormous waves engulf our beach and sweep away cars and boats,” said eyewitness Elan Jayalani. “All the villagers have fled to the jungle in the mountains. We’re living in caves.” Indonesia is particularly prone to earthquakes and tsunamis because it sits on a seismically active region of the Pacific known as the Ring of Fire. More than half of the 130,000 victims of the massive tsunami two years ago were Indonesians.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
El Palace Barcelona: old-world luxury in the heart of the city
The Week Recommends This historic hotel is set within a former Ritz outpost moments from the Passeig de Gràcia
-
The best history books to read in 2025
The Week Recommends These fascinating deep-dives are perfect for history buffs
-
July 4 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Friday’s political cartoons include the danger of talking politics at a family picnic, and disappearing Medicaid entitlements