KUCHING: The news of a Sarawakian woman missing following earthquakes in Christchurch, New Zealand yesterday sparked a flurry of text messages and emails among the people in the state.
Most of the messages enquired about the identity of the woman, and there were also messages calling on others to pray for the victim’s safety.
Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Richard Riot, who was not spared the messages, yesterday assured Sarawakians that his ministry is working very closely with New Zealand authorities to find the woman.
He, however, could not reveal details of the victim but quick to add that the family would be constantly updated on latest developments.
Nonetheless, he said the Ministry is taking the matter seriously and has set up operations centres at its Wisma Putra headquarters and in New Zealand to assist affected Malaysians.
Meanwhile, sources said the victim is employed to work at one of the colleges in Christchurch.
She is said to be trapped in one of the collapsed building when the earthquake occurred.
Her family is said to be from Sibu, but they have moved to Kuching.
Until yesterday, she was still listed as missing person.
The chief of Malaysian operation room in Christchurch, Ayauf Bachi, was reported by Bernama to have said that they received reports of the missing woman He had also said the New Zealand Defence Team, which heads the search and rescue operations, had also been informed.
Ayauf, who is also the Foreign Ministry’s deputy chief of protocol, said there were 636 Malaysians in Christchurch, including 390 students.
The earthquake, measuring 6.3 on the Ritcher scale last Tuesday, was the worst-ever to hit New Zealand. It has so so far claimed 100 lives.