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| Indonesia tsunami: death toll expected to rise as rescuers try to reach Donggala - live | Indonesia tsunami: death toll expected to rise as rescuers try to reach Donggala - live |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| On the ground in Palu, people continue to flock to the army hospital, where the corpses are being to be brought for identification, as they desperately look for their loved ones. | |
| Some also took to posting on social media in an attempt to locate missing friends and relatives. One Facebook group had almost 10,000 members by Monday and was filled with photographs and pleas for information and even instructions should people recognise their family members among the dead. “If someone locates her dead body, please do not bring her to the mass grave because we will pick her up,” said one Facebook post | |
| Others took to twitter, such as a post below where a woman was looking for information about her brother Syifak, who was last seen in Palu on Friday evening. | |
| Pak @Sutopo_PN mohon di-retweet agar adik saya yg ada di Palu yg hilang kontak bisa ditemukan. Namanya Syifak, ASN Pemkot Palu, alamat seperti KTP terlampir. Sejak gempa hari jum'at jam 18.00 loss contact. Mohon bantuannya yg ada di Palu siapa tahu kabarnya pic.twitter.com/Bfp3CoL2Mv | |
| Despite the massive scale of the devastation, Vice President Jusuf Kalla has said the government had not deemed the earthquake to be “a national disaster” because the Central Sulawesi regional government is still functional. | |
| He told Kompas that the situation was different from the Aceh tsunami in 2004. “Aceh’s government was paralyzed. [In Palu] the governor is still there, the regent is still there, is still running,” said Kalla, who is also the Chairman of the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI), | |
| What we know so far | |
| The death toll of the earthquake and tsunami currently stands at 832, but is expected to rise sharply again today. Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesperson for the disaster agency (BNBP) will be proving an official update at 1pm | |
| A 14-day state of emergency has been declared in Sulawesi | |
| In some of the smaller villages and subdistricts around Palu, it is feared entire communities of up to 2000 people have been killed after mudslides submerged and crushed their homes. | |
| In Palu, authorities are preparing a large mass grave for the burial of the bodies which have been piling up over the weekend. The grave, which will be 10 metres by 100 metres, is being dug for 300 victims and can be enlarged if needed. According to Sutopo, this is a temporary measure to stop disease spreading | |
| Indonesia has confirmed it will accept international assistance for the disaster, and put out calls for help. Australia and Thailand have already offered support | |
| Heavy machinery needed to move rubble has still not reached the area, so search and rescue efforts are being done primarily by hand | |
| Efforts continued to save up to 40 people trapped in Palu’s Roa Roa hotel, where victims could still be heard screaming from the rubble on Monday morning. Only one survivor has been pulled out alive. | |
| Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency has said they ended the tsunami warning for Sulawesi after the third wave had hit the shore of Palu, not before as some had alleged | |
| Some telecommunications had been restored to the area but there continues to be no power in Palu | |
| Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) is standing by their decision to end the tsunami warning during the first hours of the earthquake. The agency has come under fire for removing the warning just 34 minutes after the earthquake hit. | Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) is standing by their decision to end the tsunami warning during the first hours of the earthquake. The agency has come under fire for removing the warning just 34 minutes after the earthquake hit. |
| Speaking to the Jakarta Post, BMKG chairwoman Dwikorita Karnawati said the warning was removed after the third and final tsunami wave had hit the coast of Palu, not before. | Speaking to the Jakarta Post, BMKG chairwoman Dwikorita Karnawati said the warning was removed after the third and final tsunami wave had hit the coast of Palu, not before. |
| “According to our analysis, three waves hit Palu’s beach around dusk, with the third one and the highest sweeping away houses and kiosks. The waves hit the beach within a span of 2.5 minutes,” Dwikorita said to the Jakarta Post. She said the tsunami alert ended at 6:37 p.m., minutes after the third wave hit land. | “According to our analysis, three waves hit Palu’s beach around dusk, with the third one and the highest sweeping away houses and kiosks. The waves hit the beach within a span of 2.5 minutes,” Dwikorita said to the Jakarta Post. She said the tsunami alert ended at 6:37 p.m., minutes after the third wave hit land. |
| Indonesian president Joko Widodo last night authorised the country to begin accepting international aid for the disaster, news which will come as a relief to aid workers on the ground who expressed frustration yesterday that the earthquake had been classed as only a “province level disaster”, meaning international funding and supplies were blocked. | Indonesian president Joko Widodo last night authorised the country to begin accepting international aid for the disaster, news which will come as a relief to aid workers on the ground who expressed frustration yesterday that the earthquake had been classed as only a “province level disaster”, meaning international funding and supplies were blocked. |
| Last night, President @jokowi authorized us to accept international help for urgent disaster-response & relief. I’m helping coordinate help from private sectors from around the world. Pls message me at my social media accounts or email: tom@bkpm.go.id#PaluTsunami #PALUDONGGALA | Last night, President @jokowi authorized us to accept international help for urgent disaster-response & relief. I’m helping coordinate help from private sectors from around the world. Pls message me at my social media accounts or email: tom@bkpm.go.id#PaluTsunami #PALUDONGGALA |
| Australia’s prime minister, Scott Morrison released a statement pledging support. “As a close neighbour, Australia stands ready to support government of Indonesia response efforts, if required,” said the joint statement. | Australia’s prime minister, Scott Morrison released a statement pledging support. “As a close neighbour, Australia stands ready to support government of Indonesia response efforts, if required,” said the joint statement. |
| With bodies building up in Palu at an unmanageable rate, Sutopo confirmed on Sunday that once identified, the corpses would be buried in a mass grave as a temporary measure and given “proper burials” later. | With bodies building up in Palu at an unmanageable rate, Sutopo confirmed on Sunday that once identified, the corpses would be buried in a mass grave as a temporary measure and given “proper burials” later. |
| Tweeting this morning, he released images of the inspection of Paboya public cemetery, where the mass burials will begin today. “The burials will be carried out immediately due to public health concerns,” he said. | Tweeting this morning, he released images of the inspection of Paboya public cemetery, where the mass burials will begin today. “The burials will be carried out immediately due to public health concerns,” he said. |
| Peninjauan lokasi rencana tempat pemakaman umum Paboya yang disiapkan untuk pemakaman massal korban jenazah bencana gempa dan tsunami di Kota Palu. Jenasah dimakamkan setelah diidentifikasi. Pemakaman segera dilakukan karena dapat mengganggu kesehatan masyarakat. pic.twitter.com/GamA5gGu2g | Peninjauan lokasi rencana tempat pemakaman umum Paboya yang disiapkan untuk pemakaman massal korban jenazah bencana gempa dan tsunami di Kota Palu. Jenasah dimakamkan setelah diidentifikasi. Pemakaman segera dilakukan karena dapat mengganggu kesehatan masyarakat. pic.twitter.com/GamA5gGu2g |
| It is feared that around 2,000 people in the Petobo subdistrict in South Palu have died after being caught up in a fatal mudflow caused by the tsunami, their homes washed away entirely. Speaking to the Jakarta Post, one local resident said the mud had been “rolling in like waves”. | It is feared that around 2,000 people in the Petobo subdistrict in South Palu have died after being caught up in a fatal mudflow caused by the tsunami, their homes washed away entirely. Speaking to the Jakarta Post, one local resident said the mud had been “rolling in like waves”. |
| Another subdistrict in West Palu district appeared to have sunk into the ground, with thousands also feared dead. | Another subdistrict in West Palu district appeared to have sunk into the ground, with thousands also feared dead. |
| Video footage from Palu shows terrified families fleeing their homes as the earthquake caused “liquification”, when the surface of the earth moves like liquid, making buildings topple. | Video footage from Palu shows terrified families fleeing their homes as the earthquake caused “liquification”, when the surface of the earth moves like liquid, making buildings topple. |
| Detik-detik saat rumah-rumah bergerak dan roboh disebabkan proses likuifaksi dan amblesan akibat gempa 7,4 SR di Kota Palu. Permukaan tanah bergerak dan ambles sehingga semua bangunan hancur. Proses geologi yang sangat mengerikan. Diperkirakan korban terjebak di daerah ini. pic.twitter.com/Vf5McUaaSG | Detik-detik saat rumah-rumah bergerak dan roboh disebabkan proses likuifaksi dan amblesan akibat gempa 7,4 SR di Kota Palu. Permukaan tanah bergerak dan ambles sehingga semua bangunan hancur. Proses geologi yang sangat mengerikan. Diperkirakan korban terjebak di daerah ini. pic.twitter.com/Vf5McUaaSG |
| Sulawesi island | Sulawesi island |
| Sulawesi, the world’s 11th largest island, is located east of Borneo, comprising of several long peninsulas extending from a mountainous centre. It is popular with tourists for its coral reefs and dive sites, including the Wakatobi Islands in Southeast Sulawesi and Bunaken Island at the northern tip of Sulawesi. | Sulawesi, the world’s 11th largest island, is located east of Borneo, comprising of several long peninsulas extending from a mountainous centre. It is popular with tourists for its coral reefs and dive sites, including the Wakatobi Islands in Southeast Sulawesi and Bunaken Island at the northern tip of Sulawesi. |
| Palu city is the capital of the province of Central Sulawesi and lies at the head of the long, narrow Palu Bay. Donggala is a regency along the coast of Central Sulawesi. The capital of Donggala is Banawa, normally about a 30-minute drive north from Palu. More than 300,000 people live in Donggala. | Palu city is the capital of the province of Central Sulawesi and lies at the head of the long, narrow Palu Bay. Donggala is a regency along the coast of Central Sulawesi. The capital of Donggala is Banawa, normally about a 30-minute drive north from Palu. More than 300,000 people live in Donggala. |
| Palu, also home to 300,000 people, is considered an emerging tourist destination. | Palu, also home to 300,000 people, is considered an emerging tourist destination. |
| Indonesia is one of the most disaster-prone nations on earth. It lies on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, where tectonic plates collide and many of the world’s volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur. | Indonesia is one of the most disaster-prone nations on earth. It lies on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, where tectonic plates collide and many of the world’s volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur. |
| Many have therefore questioned why a more effective tsunami warning system was not in place in Sulawesi. It has emerged that there were plans to install an early warning system in the area, after the 2004 tsunami which killed almost 250,000 people. However, intergovernmental disagreements meant the project has still not been completed. | Many have therefore questioned why a more effective tsunami warning system was not in place in Sulawesi. It has emerged that there were plans to install an early warning system in the area, after the 2004 tsunami which killed almost 250,000 people. However, intergovernmental disagreements meant the project has still not been completed. |
| “To me this is a tragedy for science, even more so a tragedy for the Indonesian people as the residents of Sulawesi are discovering right now,” said Louise Comfort, a University of Pittsburgh expert in disaster management who worked on the early warning system. | “To me this is a tragedy for science, even more so a tragedy for the Indonesian people as the residents of Sulawesi are discovering right now,” said Louise Comfort, a University of Pittsburgh expert in disaster management who worked on the early warning system. |
| Text messages that were supposed to warn people in Palu of the possibility of a tsunami also did not go out as planned because telecommunications went down immediately after the earthquake | Text messages that were supposed to warn people in Palu of the possibility of a tsunami also did not go out as planned because telecommunications went down immediately after the earthquake |
| Over 1,400 survivors of the earthquake and tsunami have been evacuated to Makassar, South Sulawesi, since Saturday, according to the Jakarta Post. They were transported by a C-130 Hercules military aircraft. | Over 1,400 survivors of the earthquake and tsunami have been evacuated to Makassar, South Sulawesi, since Saturday, according to the Jakarta Post. They were transported by a C-130 Hercules military aircraft. |
| One survivor, Mesda, 40, told the Jakarta Post that she would continue her journey to Manado, North Sulawesi. “Our home was destroyed. We have nowhere to live,” she said. | One survivor, Mesda, 40, told the Jakarta Post that she would continue her journey to Manado, North Sulawesi. “Our home was destroyed. We have nowhere to live,” she said. |
| Meanwhile, with telecommunications still down, hundreds of people were desperately waiting at the Makassar air base, looking for an opportunity to fly to Palu with the rescue teams, to locate their family members caught up in the disaster. | Meanwhile, with telecommunications still down, hundreds of people were desperately waiting at the Makassar air base, looking for an opportunity to fly to Palu with the rescue teams, to locate their family members caught up in the disaster. |
| Indonesian president Joko Widodo visited Palu yesterday to inspect the devastation. According to Sutopo, his presidential directives were: | Indonesian president Joko Widodo visited Palu yesterday to inspect the devastation. According to Sutopo, his presidential directives were: |
| prioritize evacuation of victims | prioritize evacuation of victims |
| heavy equipment immediately sent | heavy equipment immediately sent |
| logistical assistance immediately sent with special aircraft | logistical assistance immediately sent with special aircraft |
| emergency handling to be expedited. | emergency handling to be expedited. |
| Power generators were flown to Palu this morning as there is still no electricity in the area after pylons and power stations were destroyed and uprooted by the earthquake | Power generators were flown to Palu this morning as there is still no electricity in the area after pylons and power stations were destroyed and uprooted by the earthquake |
| On Sunday, rescue efforts in Palu had focused on the Roa Roa hotel, which collapsed entirely with an estimated 50 people trapped inside. | On Sunday, rescue efforts in Palu had focused on the Roa Roa hotel, which collapsed entirely with an estimated 50 people trapped inside. |
| Reports of voices heard screaming for help were still reportedly heard on Monday morning, with around 30 to 40 people still thought to be in the ruins. | Reports of voices heard screaming for help were still reportedly heard on Monday morning, with around 30 to 40 people still thought to be in the ruins. |
| ABC now in Palu - at one of the worst disaster sites - a 7 storey hotel that collapsed in the earthquake. 30-40 people still inside, voices were still calling for help this morning @abcnews pic.twitter.com/2tE4vSEYhL | ABC now in Palu - at one of the worst disaster sites - a 7 storey hotel that collapsed in the earthquake. 30-40 people still inside, voices were still calling for help this morning @abcnews pic.twitter.com/2tE4vSEYhL |
| The efforts to find survivors among the wreckage of buildings has been slow work, with teams lacking heavy machinery needed to move the rubble. Most rescue teams were working by hand. | The efforts to find survivors among the wreckage of buildings has been slow work, with teams lacking heavy machinery needed to move the rubble. Most rescue teams were working by hand. |
| Sutopo said the disaster agency rescue teams working on Sunday had pulled 13 bodies and two survivors from the wreckage of Palu city’s malls and hotels. | Sutopo said the disaster agency rescue teams working on Sunday had pulled 13 bodies and two survivors from the wreckage of Palu city’s malls and hotels. |
| Basarnas temukan 13 korban MD dan 2 selamat di Kota Palu (30/9/2018):- tim 1 di Mall Ramayana : 1 MD- tim 2 : Resto Dunia Baru : 1 S- tim 3 : Balaroa : nihil- tim 4 : Hotel Roa Roa : 1 MD & 1 S - tim 5 : Pantai Talise : 8 MD- tim 6&7 : Petobo : 3 MD- tim 8 H.Mercure : 1 MD pic.twitter.com/Zsb2wX1D58 | Basarnas temukan 13 korban MD dan 2 selamat di Kota Palu (30/9/2018):- tim 1 di Mall Ramayana : 1 MD- tim 2 : Resto Dunia Baru : 1 S- tim 3 : Balaroa : nihil- tim 4 : Hotel Roa Roa : 1 MD & 1 S - tim 5 : Pantai Talise : 8 MD- tim 6&7 : Petobo : 3 MD- tim 8 H.Mercure : 1 MD pic.twitter.com/Zsb2wX1D58 |
| The death toll from the 7.5 magnitude earthquake and tsunami that hit the Indonesian island of Sulawesi on Friday currently stands at 832, but is expected to rise sharply again today. | The death toll from the 7.5 magnitude earthquake and tsunami that hit the Indonesian island of Sulawesi on Friday currently stands at 832, but is expected to rise sharply again today. |
| Rescue teams were still attempting to reach some of the worst hit areas, such as Donggala, yesterday and so the full extent of the devastation in unknown. In the city of Palu, where rescue efforts were focused on Sunday, efforts began to identify the hundreds of bodies, many which had been collected from along the beaches, and would be temporarily buried in mass graves. | Rescue teams were still attempting to reach some of the worst hit areas, such as Donggala, yesterday and so the full extent of the devastation in unknown. In the city of Palu, where rescue efforts were focused on Sunday, efforts began to identify the hundreds of bodies, many which had been collected from along the beaches, and would be temporarily buried in mass graves. |
| Read our latest story here. | Read our latest story here. |
| Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesperson for the disaster agency (BNBP), will once again address journalists at a press conference at 1pm Jakarta time with an update on the growing death toll and rescue efforts. Stay tuned for updates. | Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesperson for the disaster agency (BNBP), will once again address journalists at a press conference at 1pm Jakarta time with an update on the growing death toll and rescue efforts. Stay tuned for updates. |