No New Zealanders have so far been reported killed or injured in the earthquake which struck central Java in Indonesia yesterday leaving at least 3000 people dead.
But the New Zealand Embassy in Jakarta is to send two staff members to monitor the situation in the stricken zone.
Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesman Brad Tattersfield said today although there had been no indication of New Zealand casualties, staff were on their way to the region
"We are sending down two staff from our embassy in Jakarta to investigate the situation...both from the point of view of any sense of new Zealand casualties....(and) also to examine the situation from the point of view of possible aid assistance," he told National Radio.
The earthquake, which measured 6.2 on the Richter scale, struck the ancient royal city of Yogyakarta, a popular tourist destination, just before midday (NZT) yesterday.
More than 3000 people are reported to have died, and thousands more injured.
Yogyakarta is 440km east of Jakarta.
- NZPA
