Dozens dead as quake-triggered tsunami sweeps away homes in Indonesia
Dozens dead as quake-triggered tsunami sweeps away homes in Indonesia
Indonesia's disaster agency spokesman says four hospitals in the earthquake and tsunami stricken city of Palu in Sulawesi have reported 48 deaths.
He told a news conference today that hospitals in the city are also treating several hundred injured and many victims still remain uncounted.
A tsunami triggered by a magnitude 7.5 earthquake on Friday smashed into two cities and several settlements on Sulawesi island at dusk.
Dawn today revealed a devastated coastline in central Sulawesi where the three-metre high tsunami hit.
The disaster agency spokesman said in a television interview there are "many victims"
In Palu, the capital of Central Sulawesi province, a large bridge spanning a coastal river had collapsed and the city was strewn with debris.
Residents survey the devastation in Palu after the earthquake and tsunami which has left dozens dead. Source: Twitter: Mauricio Santo
The city is built around a narrow bay that apparently magnified the force of the tsunami waters as they raced into the tight inlet.
An AP reporter saw bodies partially covered by tarpaulins and a man carrying a dead child through the wreckage.
Indonesian TV showed a smartphone video of a powerful wave hitting Palu, with people screaming and running in fear. The water smashed into buildings and a large mosque already damaged by the earthquake.
Communications with the area are difficult because power and telecommunications are cut, hampering search and rescue efforts.
The spokesman said the runway of Palu's airport is not damaged and essential aircraft can land there.
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said UN officials were in contact with Indonesian authorities and "stand ready to provide support as required."
Indonesia is prone to earthquakes because of its location on the "Ring of Fire," an arc of volcanoes and fault lines in the Pacific Basin.
In December 2004, a massive magnitude 9.1 earthquake off Sumatra in western Indonesia triggered a tsunami that killed 230,000 people in a dozen countries.
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will be seeking an update from the Indonesian Government on the impact of the Sulawesi earthquake and tsunami during his regional visit.
Mr Peters departs on Monday for a scheduled visit to Thailand and Indonesia this week.
“The Sulawesi earthquake and tsunami will obviously be a current concern for the Indonesian government. My visit will be an opportunity to personally express the condolences of New Zealand for the loss of life, and to discuss any potential assistance,” Mr Peters said.
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At the U.N. General Assembly, the first since #metoo took root, some of the most powerful words came from the mouths of female leaders. Source: Associated Press
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