Couple watched as tsunami swept past Bali

Press, 23 August 1977, Page 1

Couple watched as tsunami swept past Bali

A Christchurch woman who was holidaying in Bali last Friday when an earthquake measuring 8.3 on the Richter scale struck the island, sheltered on the stage of the theatre in her hotel during the subsequent tsunami waves.

The woman and her husband, who do not want their names published, were staying at the Sandur Beach Hotel, one of Bali’s main tourist hotels, and were on the last day of their holiday. “When the earthquake struck, I was standing beside the swimming pool, and the water was whipped up as everything swaved.” she said. She estimated that the steady shaking lasted at least two minutes and a half, and she said it was the strongest she had ever experienced. “There was a distinct rumble, which seemed to come from the sea, but it was easy to spot New Zealanders and Australians among the guests. They all stayed still, while everyone else rushed around.”

She said the first tsunami arrived about an hour and a half later, and many people had already gone down to the sea because it looked much rougher than usual.

“An enormous wave swept sideways along the coast, sending pumice on to the shore and canoes were carried up to the grounds of the hotel, landing in the trees,” she said. “I didn’t stay around to watch, however, and took refuge in the hotel’s theatre until it was all over.” There were four waves in all, the woman said, but the last two were smaller, and people again gathered on the beach to watch. She said several shops were flooded, thatched cottages were destroyed and many coconut palms, important to the island’s economy, were ruined. The woman said the island’s airport was undamaged, and she and her husband were able to leave about six hours later.

Earthquake toll reaches 72, Page 9.