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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
(35 minutes later)
“Heavy equipment has arrived” said Sutopo, “but a large amount is needed to evacuate victims hit by debris and buried in mud.”
Sutopo has arrived and is now addressing journalists with updates. The official death toll has risen to 844.
It appears that the scheduled press conference with Sutopo has been delayed. More information when we have it.
A major bridge collapsed into the sea during Friday night’s 7.4 magnitude earthquake. Minutes later a powerful tsunami washed everything away;trees,roads, cars, houses and so many many people. Across Palu’s Talise Beach today there are dozens of families searching for loved ones pic.twitter.com/4ulw2NjodL
Scenes of utter carnage in Palu as so many families pick through shattered homes looking for loved ones. The town has taken a massive hit from the earthquake but the damage caused to seaside communities is just breathtaking. pic.twitter.com/InKtb1x3FY
Rescue teams were still working on Monday to pull 15-year-old Nurul out of the ruins of the Balaroa National Housing building in Palu. Most of her body has been trapped in deep mud and concrete for 48 hours, with only her head visible. The body of her mother, Risni, who died in the collapse, is trapped next to her.
Speaking to Tirto, Yusuf, Nurul’s father who has sat by her side since he found her alive, said: ““Everything went fast. The land collapsed instantly.”
He added: “I found my daughter was buried under the ruins and puddle,”
90 of their neighbours who also lived in the building are still reported missing.
Pope Francis led a prayer on Sunday at the Vatican for the earthquake victims, expressing his “nearness to the people on the island of Sulawesi”.Pope Francis led a prayer on Sunday at the Vatican for the earthquake victims, expressing his “nearness to the people on the island of Sulawesi”.
“I pray for the deceased – which are unfortunately numerous – for the wounded, and for those who have lost their homes and employment. May the Lord console them and sustain the efforts of those who are taking part in the relief efforts,” he said.“I pray for the deceased – which are unfortunately numerous – for the wounded, and for those who have lost their homes and employment. May the Lord console them and sustain the efforts of those who are taking part in the relief efforts,” he said.
The flow of aid into the worst-hit areas continues to face obstacles due to destroyed roads and the slow decision by the Indonesian government to accept foreign assistance.The flow of aid into the worst-hit areas continues to face obstacles due to destroyed roads and the slow decision by the Indonesian government to accept foreign assistance.
“No aid has arrived. We have lost everything,” one resident told the BBC.“No aid has arrived. We have lost everything,” one resident told the BBC.
pic.twitter.com/rtbB0B8DQjpic.twitter.com/rtbB0B8DQj
Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesperson for the disaster agency (BNBP), will be giving an update on the disaster and death toll at around 1:30pm Jakarta time. Stay tuned for live updates.Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesperson for the disaster agency (BNBP), will be giving an update on the disaster and death toll at around 1:30pm Jakarta time. Stay tuned for live updates.
The death toll is expected to increase sharply, as there were certain hard-hit areas rescue teams could only reach by Sunday night. The official number of casualties from the city of Donggala and surrounding villages has yet to be announced.The death toll is expected to increase sharply, as there were certain hard-hit areas rescue teams could only reach by Sunday night. The official number of casualties from the city of Donggala and surrounding villages has yet to be announced.
According to reports by AFP, in Poboya - in the hills above Palu - volunteers have been digging a 100 metre-long grave to bury the dead. The mass grave was originally said to be for only 300 bodies but instructions have been given to prepare for 1,300 victims to be laid to rest.According to reports by AFP, in Poboya - in the hills above Palu - volunteers have been digging a 100 metre-long grave to bury the dead. The mass grave was originally said to be for only 300 bodies but instructions have been given to prepare for 1,300 victims to be laid to rest.
The official death toll stands at 832 and this is a further indicator that the number of casualties has risen overnight. An update is due at 1:30pm.The official death toll stands at 832 and this is a further indicator that the number of casualties has risen overnight. An update is due at 1:30pm.
Local military spokesman Mohammad Thorir said the area adjacent to a public cemetery on a hill can hold as many as 1,000 bodies. All of the victims, coming from local hospitals, have been photographed to help families locate where their relatives were buried.Local military spokesman Mohammad Thorir said the area adjacent to a public cemetery on a hill can hold as many as 1,000 bodies. All of the victims, coming from local hospitals, have been photographed to help families locate where their relatives were buried.
Footage has emerged of the devastation in Donggala, which was one of the worst hit areas by the earthquake and tsunami. Homes lie mangled, the tarmac of the road has been so uprooted it sits on top of rooftops and cars have been thrown upside downFootage has emerged of the devastation in Donggala, which was one of the worst hit areas by the earthquake and tsunami. Homes lie mangled, the tarmac of the road has been so uprooted it sits on top of rooftops and cars have been thrown upside down
According to the Director General of Corrections, Sri Puguh Budi Utami, the structural damage done to prisons by the earthquake allowed for a massive prison break across the area. 1,425 prisoners are now missing from jails.According to the Director General of Corrections, Sri Puguh Budi Utami, the structural damage done to prisons by the earthquake allowed for a massive prison break across the area. 1,425 prisoners are now missing from jails.
In Palu prison, which previously had 581 inmates, there are now only 66 left, and in Palu detention centre, which had 463 prisoners, only 53 remained in custody on MondayIn Palu prison, which previously had 581 inmates, there are now only 66 left, and in Palu detention centre, which had 463 prisoners, only 53 remained in custody on Monday
One of the biggest issues hindering rescue efforts is the lack of fuel in the area. It is estimated it will take three days to restore electricity to Palu and in the meantime, generators- powered by fuel- are essential.One of the biggest issues hindering rescue efforts is the lack of fuel in the area. It is estimated it will take three days to restore electricity to Palu and in the meantime, generators- powered by fuel- are essential.
“The supply of fuel, (given) current circumstances, is very limited. The lack of fuel has caused mobile electricity generator units, vehicles and water pumps to remain idle,” said Sutopo.“The supply of fuel, (given) current circumstances, is very limited. The lack of fuel has caused mobile electricity generator units, vehicles and water pumps to remain idle,” said Sutopo.
Trucks carrying petrol were driven from Poso, a four-hour drive away, to Palu overnight under military escort. In Poso, miles-long queues began to build up at petrol stationsTrucks carrying petrol were driven from Poso, a four-hour drive away, to Palu overnight under military escort. In Poso, miles-long queues began to build up at petrol stations
7 petrol trucks in Poso waiting for the next run into Palu. They go at night under military escort. #paluberduka #SulawesiEarthquake pic.twitter.com/aN0hchiV7V7 petrol trucks in Poso waiting for the next run into Palu. They go at night under military escort. #paluberduka #SulawesiEarthquake pic.twitter.com/aN0hchiV7V
This video from the Indonesian Red Cross shows how the coastal town of Donggala was decimated by the force of the tsunami. Barely any houses left standing, and people picking through the ruins of their lives
Beginilah wajah wilayah Donggala, Sulawesi Tengah yang luluh lantah paska #SulawesiEarthquake #PMISiapBantu pic.twitter.com/qkYPhbLgLg
The force of the earthquake smashed homes and tower blocks to smithereens, mangled a metal bridge, ripped the concrete walls off shopping malls and reduced roads to dust and rubble. Here is a gallery illustrating the scale of the devastation on the coast of Sulawesi:
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 are 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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.