"The deaths were from a boat accident and not because of floods," he said here on Friday.
Agung said the boat accident had claimed ten lives while four other passengers were saved.
The head of the information and data center and public relations of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, also denied the report saying that "the deaths are from a boat accident."
According to earlier information 13 people were reported to have died as a result of flash floods sweeping the Ekadide and Agadide Districts in Paniai, Papua.
Sutopo said after he confirmed the report with the Papuan government it was found that the deaths were from a boat accident not from floods.
Until now BNPB still continued collecting information about it from the Papua administration and the local chapter of BNPB.
"The BNPB is still collecting information and coordinating with the Paniai district administration and local BNPB in connection with the floods," he said.
To prevent confusion Agung Laksono said he would immediately send a team to the site of disaster to check the situation.
"We will send a team to the location of the disaster to check the real situation there and take actions," he said.
The team consists officials from his office, the BNPB, the health ministry, the social affairs ministry and other offices concerned.(*)
(H-YH/AHAJM/H-YH)
Editor: Ruslan Burhani
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
