In Pictures

Indonesia: The destruction caused by tsunami

Saturday’s tsunami was Indonesia’s third major natural disaster in just a few months.

People inspect the damage at a tsunami-ravaged village in Sumur, Indonesia, Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2018. The Christmas holiday was somber with prayers for tsunami victims in the Indonesian region hit by wa — A tsunami-ravaged village in Sumur, Indonesia. The Christmas holiday was sombre with prayers for tsunami victims in the Indonesian region hit by waves that struck without warning Saturday night. [Tatan Syuflana/AP Photo]

Thousands of people were left homeless when a volcano-triggered tsunami smashed homes on the coastal areas of western Java and southern Sumatra in Indonesia.

The powerful waves washed away popular seaside areas frequented by local and foreign tourists, sweeping over coastal settlements and leaving behind a trail of destruction.

The latest death toll stands at 429 people, with more than 1,400 injured and another 128 missing. Thousands more have been displaced and forced to seek shelter in temporary camps.

Saturday’s tsunami was Indonesia’s third major natural disaster in just a few months. In July and August, major earthquakes on Lombok island killed hundreds of people, while in September, a devastating earthquake-tsunami left more than 2,000 others in Palu on Sulawesi island dead.

It also came just a few days before the 14th anniversary of the December 26, 2004 tsunami, one of the deadliest disasters in history that claimed the lives of some 220,000 people in several countries around the Indian Ocean, more than half of whom were Indonesians.

A man carries a usable item following a tsunami in Carita beach, Indonesia, Monday, Dec. 24, 2018. Doctors worked to save injured victims while hundreds of military and volunteers scoured debris-strew — The powerful tsunami washed away popular seaside areas frequented by local and foreign tourists. [Tatan Syuflana/AP Photo]

A man makes his way past a house badly damaged by a tsunami in Sumur, Indonesia, Monday, Dec. 24, 2018. Doctors worked to save injured victims while hundreds of military and volunteers scoured debris- — Saturday's tsunami was Indonesia's third major natural disaster in just a few months. [Fauzy Chaniago/AP Photo]

A tsunami survivor walks at a tsunami-ravaged village in Sumur, Indonesia, Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2018. The Christmas holiday was somber with prayers for tsunami victims in the Indonesian region hit by wa — With Anak Krakatoa still rumbling, experts are warning that more destructive waves could slam the already-stricken areas in southern Sumatra and western Java. [Achmad Ibrahim/AP Photo]

A man stands in front of his destroyed house, after it was hit by a tsunami in Pandeglang, Banten province, Indonesia, December 24, 2018. REUTERS/Jorge Silva — A man stands in front of his destroyed house in Pandeglang, Banten province. [Jorge Silva/Reuters]

Stranded boats are seen near houses after a tsunami hit at Anyer in Banten, Indonesia, December 24, 2018 in this photo taken by Antara Foto. Antara Foto/Muhammad Adimaja/ via REUTERS — Stranded boats near damaged houses in Anyer, Banten. [Antara Foto/Muhammad Adimaja/Reuters]

People rest at an evacuation centre at Sidamukti town hall after a tsunami hit Banten province, Indonesia December 24, 2018. Picture taken December 24, 2018. REUTERS/Jorge Silva - — Thousands have been displaced and forced to seek shelter in temporary camps. [Jorge Silva/Reuters]

Vessels are washed up next to houses after a tsunami hit, in Anyer, Banten province, Indonesia December 25, 2018. REUTERS/Jorge Silva — The eruption of Anak Krakatoa volcano triggered an underwater landslide that is widely believed to have caused a devastating tsunami that struck almost without a warning. [Jorge Silva/Reuters]