Sulawesi Quake, Tsunami Death Toll Rises To 1,234

By Mohd Shukri Ishak JAKARTA, Oct 2 (Bernama) -- The death toll has risen to 1,234 in Central Sulawesi which was struck last Friday by an earthquake and a tsunami that also caused destruction to property. The Indonesian National Agency for Disaster Management (BNPB) said the death toll, as at 1 pm Tuesday, could rise further as the search and rescue teams have yet to enter many areas. “Over 6,000 members of the search and rescue teams made up of the military, police and other relevant agencies are facing various obstacles in their attempt to get to the areas worst-hit by the earthquake and tsunami,” it said. An earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale rocked the Palu and Donggala cities last Friday, triggering a tsunami. Central Sulawesi has since been hit by over 250 aftershocks. The villages in the densely-populated provinces of Tondo, Parimo, Punglere and Petobo are reported to have been devastated by the earthquake and tsunami and remain inundated in mud and debris. Authorities fear that many of the people in the area could have been washed away by the tsunami or buried under the mud and the damaged houses and buildings. BNPB head of the Centre for Information Data and Public Relations, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, said the number of dead and injured could rise as the compilation of data continues. “The authorities have set up a field hospital to nurse the injured,” he said, adding that more than 30,000 people are in need of fresh water, food, medicine and blankets. -- BERNAMA