The confirmed death toll from the
earthquake and tsunami that struck the Indonesian island of Sulawesi has risen
to 832, and the vice-president, Jusuf Kalla, has warned it could reach into the
thousands.
More than 150 aftershocks
followed the 7.4 magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami which hit Sulawesi
on Friday, causing thousands of homes, hotels, shopping malls and several
mosques to collapse.
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. Hundreds of bodies have been found on beaches
and authorities fear many may have been washed out to sea.
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What we know so far
What we learned from the press
conference:
- A 7.4 magnitude earthquake hit
the island of Sulawesi on Friday morning, causing a tsunami and around 170
aftershocks. It is the most devastating earthquake to hit Indonesia since 2004.
- The area devastated by the
disaster is bigger than originally thought. The tsunami wave was as high as six
metres in some places.
- The death toll is currently at
832 and expected to rise sharply. 821 of the deaths occurred in the city of
Palu. There are still only 11 casualties recorded in the city of Donggala, one
of the worst hit areas
Bodies are now being buried in
mass graves once they have been identified.
- 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.
- A search and rescue team are
working to retrieve 50 people trapped in the ruins of the Roa Roa hotel in
Palu. Voices have been heard screaming from the wreck of the 8-storey building.
- Rescue operations are hindered by
the lack of heavy equipment needed to shift the rubble. Most search and rescue
of victims is being done by hand.
- Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo
has arrived in Palu and is inspecting the damage
Photo: Tezar Kodongan
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