Taiwanese rescuers on standby after Indonesia, Solomon Islands temblors

Taipei, Nov. 22 (CNA) Taiwanese disaster relief workers are on standby to provide humanitarian relief to Indonesia and the Solomon Islands after those countries were hit by major earthquakes, the National Fire Agency (NFA) said Tuesday.

Rescuers from the agency and Taipei City Fire Department have made necessary preparations with the Taiwan Foundation for Disaster Relief and are ready to leave as soon as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs gives the green light, according to an NFA statement.

A 5.6-magnitude earthquake hit a highly populated region of Indonesia's West Java province on Nov. 21 at a depth of 10 kilometers, killing at least 250 people and injuring hundreds more, local officials said.

On Tuesday, a 7.0 magnitude temblor struck the Solomon Islands in the Pacific Ocean at a depth of 15 km triggering a tsunami alert, but no casualties have so far been reported.

Meanwhile, Indonesia-based charity groups established by Taiwanese businessmen told CNA they will deliver food, blankets and other daily necessities to earthquake victims on Nov. 26.

Members from organizations such as the Indonesia Taiwan Chambers of Commerce and Three-Wheels Foundation said they will work with Taiwanese businessmen in Bandung City, which is close to the epicenter of the quake, to deliver the items.