At least 832 people have died after a 7.5 magnitude earthquake triggered tsunami waves as high as six metres (20 feet).
A 7.5-magnitude earthquake, and a number of very powerful aftershocks, struck the Indonesian island of Sulawesi yesterday, triggering a tsunami that has slammed into Palu-the capital of Central Sulawesi province.
At least 832 people have been lost, with thousands more still missing. Buildings have collapsed; electricity and telecommunications are down; and roads, bridges and airports have been damaged, limiting travel to affected areas.
The city of Palu has been devastated. There is no electricity and drinking water is in short supply after the pipes were damaged. Fuel is also running low.There is also very limited access to fuel for vehicles.
Almost all the deaths have been recorded in the coastal city of Palu, where a mass burial will be held. Vice-president Jusuf Kalla warns deaths could be in the thousands after the earthquake and tsunami.
National disaster mitigation agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho told a news conference the affected area was bigger than initially thought, though rescuers only had good access to one of four affected districts – Palu.
So far, 821 of the deaths were in the city of Palu, with 11 casualties recorded in Donggala, the worst-hit area which is home to 300,000 people.
More than 150 aftershocks followed the 7.5 magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami which hit Sulawesi on Friday.
International Medical Corps has deployed an emergency response team to Indonesia to assess the most urgent needs, and provide assistance should it be requested.Most search and rescue of victims is being done by hand.
Rescuers have been trying to reach trapped victims in collapsed buildings after the tsunami swept away buildings with massive waves.
A Facebook page was created by worried relatives who posted pictures of missing family members in the hope of finding them alive.
