September 30, 2009
No. 287
The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today offered Canada’s condolences to the people of Indonesia following a magnitude 7.6 earthquake in central Sumatra, which struck on September 30, 2009.
“Canada is deeply concerned about the people of Indonesia who have been affected by the earthquake in Sumatra and by the impact it is having on their lives and livelihoods,” said Minister Cannon.
“To date, we have no reports of Canadian deaths or injuries due to the earthquake. Canadian officials in Ottawa and at the Embassy of Canada in Jakarta will continue to monitor the impact of the earthquake in Indonesia, and are in close contact with Indonesian authorities,” the Minister added.
“We invite Canadian citizens who are in the affected area to call home and reassure their loved ones, even if they have not been affected by this event.”
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center cancelled a tsunami alert that was issued following the earthquake.
To date, the Government of Indonesia has not requested international assistance.
Canadians in the affected areas who require emergency consular assistance should contact the Canadian Embassy in Jakarta at 62 (21) 2550-7800. Alternatively, they may call Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada’s Emergency Operations Centre collect at 613-996-8885 or send an email to sos@international.gc.ca.
Friends and relatives in Canada seeking information on Canadian citizens believed to be in the affected area should contact DFAIT’s Emergency Operations Centre in Ottawa by calling 1-800-387-3124 or 613-943-1055 or by sending an email to sos@international.gc.ca.
For up-to-date information, consult Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada’s travel report for Indonesia.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Natalie Sarafian
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
613-995-1851
Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-995-1874
