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Burst Dam

Mar 27, 2009

Waves of muddy water came flooding out when a dam burst its banks in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta in south-east Asia.

Flash floods up to 4 meters deep swept toward people's homes as they slept in their beds on Thursday night.

Water poured into buildings in the Tangerang district, and at least 58 people were killed.

The force of the water was so strong telephone poles toppled over and cars were swept along for hundreds of meters.

The thick mud has made it hard for rescue workers, who have been using rubber rafts to try and reach the survivors.

Soldiers have joined the rescue operation and are looking for people who may still be trapped in their homes.

People have gathered together to wait for news of their friends and family.

It's still not known why the dam burst, but officials say the lake behind it became overloaded after heavy rain.

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