More than 1000 people are feared to be under debris in disaster-hit Indonesia after the 7.4-magnitude earthquake and tsunami hit Sulawesi Island
More than 1000 people are feared to be under debris in disaster-hit Indonesia after the 7.4-magnitude earthquake and tsunami hit Sulawesi Island, the disaster management authority announced Friday.
Indonesian National Disaster Management (BNPB) spokesperson Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said over 1000 earthquake and tsunami victims are estimated to be trapped under the rubble, citing the reports by the villages in the region.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo made a second visit to earthquake-devastated Sulawesi island on Wednesday, saying efforts to help survivors were gearing up and he was keen to see economic activity resume.Five days after disaster struck, time is running out for anyone trapped under collapsed buildings, while aid workers warned of increasing desperation in hard-hit outlying areas that have yet to get any help at all.The official death toll from the 7.5 magnitude quake that struck the west coast of Sulawesi last Friday stood at 1,234, many killed by tsunami waves triggered by the quake.But officials fear the toll could soar, as most of the confirmed dead have come from Palu, a small city 1,500 km (930 miles) northeast of Jakarta, and losses in remote areas largely cut off since Friday have yet to be determined.UN pledges aid for Indonesian quake, tsunami victimsUnderlining a growing sense of urgency, Widodo made his second visit to the disaster zone, putting on an orange hard hat to talk to rescue workers at a collapsed Palu hotel."What I've observed after returning now is heavy equipment has arrived, logistics have started to arrive although it's not at maximum yet, fuel has partly arrived,” Widodo told reporters.Asked about efforts to restore electricity, he said:"This is all a process. Most importantly, I've asked the governor to reopen economic centres so people start to return to daily activities, while the evacuation process continues, and later rehabilitation and reconstruction."Trump offers condolences over deadly Indonesian quakeWidodo, who will seek re-election next year, called on Tuesday for reinforcements in the search for victims, saying everyone had to be found. He repeated that on Wednesday, after inspecting what he called an "evacuation" effort at the Hotel Roa Roa, where he said some 30 people lay buried in the ruins."We'll continue this process so all the victims can be retrieved,” he said.At least seven cargo planes arrived at Palu airport earlier on Wednesday carrying tonnes of aid, some bedecked in the red and white national colours and stamped with the presidential office seal declaring: "Assistance from the President of Republic of Indonesia”.Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesman of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency, said late on Tuesday rescuers had reached all four of the badly affected districts, which together have a population of 1.4 million, but he declined to give an estimate of casualties."We hope the death toll does not rise," he said. "We're continuing rescue operations but right now the team is racing against time."Video: Rescuers extract man from rubble in Indonesia's Sulawesi'GOVERNMENT MISSING'The quake brought down hotels, shopping malls and thousands of houses in Palu, while tsunami waves as high as six metres (20 feet) scoured its beachfront shortly afterwards.About 1,700 houses in one neighbourhood alone were swallowed up by ground liquefaction, which happens when soil shaken by an earthquake behaves like a liquid, and hundreds of people are believed to have perished, the disaster agency said.Adding to Sulawesi's woes, the Soputan volcano in the north of the island, about 600 km (375 miles) northeast of Palu, erupted early on Wednesday but there were no reports of any casualties or damage. Ash was not expected to disrupt flights.But concern is growing about conditions in remote areas, many of which have been cut off by destroyed road, landslides and downed bridges.Aid worker Lian Gogali said the situation in badly hit Donggala district was very difficult."Everyone is desperate for food and water. There's no food, water, or gasoline. The government is missing," she said.She said her aid group had been sending in a trickle of rations into the district of some 300,000 people by motorbike.The national disaster agency has said tents, food, water and sanitation facilities for more than 60,000 displaced people are in short supply.Police have done little to stop outbreaks of looting. The government has played down the problem, saying victims could take essentials and shops would be compensated.The government has said it would accept offers of international aid, after shunning outside help this year when two major earthquakes struck Lombok island, south of Sulawesi.U.S. President Donald Trump extended condolences in a phone call with Widodo, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert told reporters in Washington. The United States has provided initial funding, deployed government disaster experts and was working to determine what other help can be given, she said.Sitting on the seismically active Pacific Ring of Fire, Indonesia is one of the world's most vulnerable countries to quakes and tsunamis. A quake in 2004 triggered a tsunami across the Indian Ocean that killed 226,000 people in 13 countries, including more than 120,000 in Indonesia.
Indonesia's Widodo makes second visit to quake city as aid effort gears up
The UN said Tuesday that it is allocating $15 million to assist victims in Indonesia after an earthquake and tsunami wreaked mass devastation on the island of Sulawesi.The death toll from the 7.4-magnitude earthquake and tsunami has risen to 1,347, according to the country’s Disaster Management Agency (BNPB).According to a statement by the UN, an estimated 66,000 homes and vital infrastructure were damaged, including roads and bridges.The statement said the UN is allocating $15 million from its Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to support the victims affected by the earthquake and tsunami.Trump offers condolences over deadly Indonesian quake“Thousands of people are unable to return to their damaged or destroyed homes and aftershocks continue. While the government and first responders are working tirelessly to deliver life-saving aid, the needs remain vast,” it added.Victims of the disaster are having difficulty obtaining necessities such as food and drinking water.Search and rescue work in collapsed buildings throughout the region continues.In Palu city and Donggala regency, aftershocks are raising fears of a new earthquake, with some people whose homes were left undamaged by the quake afraid to spend the night in them.The disaster in Central Sulawesi could be Indonesia’s second-largest tragedy after the 2004 Aceh tsunami that killed more than 170,000 people.At Indonesia hotel destroyed by quake, hunt for survivors goes onIndonesian leader says all quake victims must be found as toll rises above 1,200
UN pledges aid for Indonesian quake, tsunami victims
In a tent next to the crumpled ruins of the Roa Roa hotel in Indonesia's quake-hit city of Palu, relatives and friends of guests believed to be under the rubble await news as a desperate rescue effort goes on in the intense heat.Four days after a 7.5 magnitude quake and tsunami struck the coastal town on Sulawesi island, only three people have been pulled out alive from the ruined hotel, and nine bodies have been recovered.About 50 people were believed to have been in the eight-storey building when the disaster struck.A search and rescue team is using acoustic detectors to try to pick up any sounds from trapped survivors, as well as concrete and metal cutters, and saws."We’re using sound detectors that can pick up voices and knocking. All this takes time but it’s for safety reasons, for survivors and for our own team," said rescue team head Agus Haryono.An earth digger and crane arrived only on Monday because of difficult road access."We suspect there are still some survivors trapped inside. We are working with that in mind at the moment,” said Haryono, as he pored over blueprints of the building.Among the group waiting for news, was Assegaf Umar, who was among a team of paragliders who had travelled to Palu to soar above its picturesque bay and steep green hillsides.Video: Mass looting spreads as residents of Indonesia's Palu wait desperately for aidUmar, who escaped harm because he was staying at a different hotel, was clinging to hope that some of his fellow paragliders staying at the hotel might still be found alive."Even though by this time, after such an event, the body's ability to endure is minimal ... we must remain optimistic," Umar told Reuters.The bodies of three of paragliders have been found, while another four, including a South Korean, were believed to missing beneath the rubble.Rescuers on Tuesday retrieved the body of Ardi Kurniawan, who was well known among international paragliders.Kurniawan had recently competed in the 2018 Asian Games held in Indonesia, and his team had won bronze medals at the 2017 and 2018 Paragliding World Accuracy Cup."We had gathered for a weekend festival and we were looking forward because this place is very beautiful and challenging. I am so sad that this happened," said Umar.The paragliders were in Palu for an annual festival in the capital of Central Sulawesi province, three days of arts, cultural events and sports.Indonesian leader says all quake victims must be found as toll rises above 1,200One paraglider who lost his life, 20-year-old Gleen Mononutu, posted a photo on social media of himself soaring near cloud-topped hills on Sept. 28, the day the earthquake struck, along with a map of a flight path over Palu.Another victim, Petra Mandagi, also posted a photograph of himself wearing an orange helmet and paragliding over Palu bay before disaster struck. It was unclear when the photo was taken."After bad weather and task stop yesterday, I can reach goal today," he said in the caption accompanying the pictures on Instagram.Mandagi's friends and family replied in the comment section of the last photo, asking about his whereabouts after the disaster. Later, many posted condolence messages."RIP Petra, a skydive mate, a good friend," said @ivykriyatavi.Death toll from Indonesia's quake, tsunami up to 1,234
At Indonesia hotel destroyed by quake, hunt for survivors goes on
The search and rescue efforts are still underway, Nugroho said.
Around 70,000 houses were damaged, while the financial loss climbed to $658 million in the region, he added.
According to the latest data by disaster authority, the death toll from the quake and tsunami has risen to 1,558, with 113 missing.
The disaster in Central Sulawesi could be Indonesia’s second-largest tragedy after the 2004 Aceh tsunami that killed more than 170,000 people.
Indonesia on Thursday continued relief efforts for the 6th consecutive day, following the 7.4-magnitude earthquake and tsunami that hit its Sulawesi Island last Friday.According to the Indonesian National Board for Disaster Management (BNPB), the death toll from the quake and tsunami has risen to 1,424, while 113 are still missing.It said 1,407 dead bodies have been buried in a mass grave.Some 2,549 people are critically injured and are receiving treatments at the hospitals in and outside Palu city, the BNPB added.A total of 66,238 houses are estimated to be destroyed and the number of internally displaced people has climbed to 70,821.Video: Drone footage shows devastation in quake hit Petobo VillageOn the 6th day of relief efforts, the Indonesian government and all sections of the community are trying to restore conditions in the disaster-hit areas.In a Cabinet meeting, the Indonesian President Joko Widodo announced some priorities in handling the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami.The priorities include processing evacuation and search for victims, giving medical treatment and aid, accelerating the recovery of electricity networks, accelerating fuel supply, distribution of logistics and food staples, accelerating recovery of telecommunications networks and coordinating foreign assistance.Galeri: Earthquake victims in Indonesia- Restoration of telecommunication networksAccording to the latest developments related to the restoration of telecommunication networks, STO (automatic telephone center) has been restored by using a power generator. The main network of Palu-Donggala and Palu-Parigi-Manado has also been recovered.In central Sulawesi, 50.7 percent of the Central Transceiver Station (BTS) out of a total of 3,133 stations are recovered.In Palu city of central Sulawesi, 46 out of 203 have been recovered, while 126 BTSs are in recovery process. All of BTSs are being temporarily powered by batteries.Meanwhile, free telephones and Wi-Fi services are available at 11 points, including Makorem Palu, Mutiara Airport, the mayor's office, the governor's office, Undata Hospital, Regional Disaster Management agency of Donggala and Radio Republic Indonesia (RRI).The Communications Ministry and Telecommunications Operators have also prepared VSAT and satellite phones in a number of points, especially government offices and hospitals.The fuel supply in Palu is already supported by 41 mobile fuel stations.A total of 100 gas station attendants have been brought in from Makassar. Solar fuel for 22 days and Premium fuel for 7 days are available.In regard to electricity supply, the 125 MW pre-earthquake capacity is estimated to experience a 30 percent reduction in load post-earthquake.Besides a number of urban strategic points, business locations are beginning to start functioning.*Munira Abdelmenan Awel contributed to the story from Ankara
Indonesia continues relief efforts post-quake, tsunami
The Malaysian prime minister on Thursday called on the neighboring countries to offer disaster-stricken Indonesia a helping hand.The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries should pioneer the aid to Indonesia -- which was hit by a deadly earthquake and tsunami in Sulawesi Island, Malaysia’s state news agency Bernama reported Mahathir Mohamad as saying.The premier addressed the 6th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Management in Malaysia’s Putrajaya city.Video: Drone footage shows devastation in quake hit Petobo VillageHe said that Palu, Donggala and Sigi areas in the island suffered massive destruction, and over a thousand people died, while more than 60,000 homes were damaged and 60,000 people were displaced.“While such a tragedy is heart-wrenching, as neighbors, we do not want to be sitting and watching from the sidelines.“But to attempt to help without proper coordination and strategic planning will result in causing a chaotic situation more chaotic. Instead of helping, we may end up troubling the other rescuers,” Mahathir said, as quoted by Bernama.“It is obvious that under such circumstances, ACDM [ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management] has a major role to play,” he added.Bodies pile up as Indonesia suffers from devastating effects of quake, tsunamiIndonesia's Widodo makes second visit to quake city as aid effort gears upMahathir went on to say: “According to the global data for the period of 2000 to 2017, the Asia Pacific Region constituted 45 percent of global disasters, 60 percent of global disaster mortalities and 85 percent of global disaster-affected people.”“Together, I am sure we can help our neighbor to ease her burden,” he asserted.The death toll from the 7.4-magnitude earthquake and tsunami has risen to 1,424, according to the country’s Disaster Management Agency (BNPB).The disaster in Central Sulawesi could be Indonesia’s second-largest tragedy after the 2004 Aceh tsunami that killed more than 170,000 people.
Malaysian PM urges ASEAN to aid disaster-hit Indonesia
The confirmed death toll from an earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia's Sulawesi Island has risen to 1,407, the disaster mitigation agency said on Wednesday.The 7.5 magnitude quake and deadly tsunami waves it triggered last Friday heavily injured over 2,500 people.It is feared that the death toll will continue to surge, as most of the confirmed dead have come from Palu, a small city 1,500 km (930 miles) northeast of Jakarta, and losses in remote areas largely cut off since Friday are yet to be accounted for.Victims of the disaster are having difficulty obtaining necessities such as food and drinking water. Search and rescue operations in collapsed buildings throughout the region continue.The quake brought down hotels, shopping malls and thousands of houses in Palu, while tsunami waves as high as six meters (20 feet) battered its beachfront shortly afterwards.UN pledges aid for Indonesian quake, tsunami victimsUN pledges aidThe UN said Tuesday that it is allocating $15 million from its Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to assist the victims of the devastating natural disaster.“Thousands of people are unable to return to their damaged or destroyed homes and aftershocks continue. While the government and first responders are working tirelessly to deliver life-saving aid, the needs remain vast,” a statement released by the UN said.The UN has estimated that 66,000 homes and vital infrastructure were damaged, including roads and bridges.Volcano erupts on Indonesia’s Sulawesi IslandDifficulty in accessing disaster victimsCentral Sulawesi Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) head Bartholomeus Tandigala said that search and rescue activities had to be paused at nightfall, and that disruptions were breaking out because locals had nearly no access to drinking water.“Lack of electricity is negatively affecting search and rescue activities, access and communication,” said Tandigala.Turkish aid group extends helping handThe Istanbul-based Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) is continuing its aid efforts in the region. The group said on Monday that they had delivered food and shelter provisions to 2,000 victims.The foundation had sent a five-person team as soon as the devastating earthquake struck and launched a fundraising campaign for the quake victims.Indonesia's Widodo makes second visit to quake city as aid effort gears upRampant lootingThere are reports of looting incidents in the quake-hit cities of Palu and Dongala.Police have done little to stop outbreaks of looting. The government has played down the problem, saying that victims could take essentials and shops would be compensated.“Home and shop owners choose to stay with their properties even if they have no food or water in case looting occurs,” BPBD head Tandigala said.Trump offers condolences over deadly Indonesian quake
Bodies pile up as Indonesia suffers from devastating effects of quake, tsunami