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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2018/oct/02/indonesia-tsunami-palu-aid-food-shortages-video-death-toll-sulawesi
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| Indonesia tsunami: 34 bodies discovered inside church as desperation mounts – live | Indonesia tsunami: 34 bodies discovered inside church as desperation mounts – live |
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| Sutopo Purwo Nugroho is the spokesperson for the disaster agency (BNBP) and the official face of the government’s response to the disaster. He was also the spokesperson for the BNBP during the Lombok earthquake in August that killed more than 450 people. | |
| While Sutopo’s normal role is to share information about disasters and the relief efforts, he has tweeted this morning on a more personal note, revealing that he has stage four lung cancer. | |
| Meski kanker paru stadium 4B, saya tetap berusaha melayani media dan masyarakat dengan baik. Untuk rekan penyintas kanker. Jangan patah semangat. Tetap sabar, kerja dan berdoa. Hidup itu bukan panjang-pendeknya usia. Tapi seberapa besar kita dapat membantu orang lain.@raisa6690 pic.twitter.com/RZVSnSOTkW | |
| He wrote that despite the cancer, “I still try to serve the media and society well” and encouraged others with cancer not to be discouraged and to think about “how much we can help others”. | |
| He also posted cartoon showing himself hooked up to a drip, while a volcano explodes, and an earthquake and a tsunami occur in the background. | |
| The search continues for thousands of people who are believed to be trapped under rubble after an earthquake hit the island of Sulawesi on Friday morning, causing a tsunami and around 170 aftershocks. | |
| The death toll is still at 844 but is expected to rise sharply as rescue efforts continue. | |
| Roughly 50,000 people have been displaced by the earthquake. | |
| There have been reports of looting as aid and supplies struggle to reach the affected areas and Palu faces its fifth day with limited power and clean water supplies. | |
| Part of the reason for the slow delivery of supplies to Palu is due to the damage to the airport, where only one runway is operational. On Monday, the airport was forced to close temporarily as hundreds of people flocked to the airport to beg the military to evacuate them or give them food. | |
| The bodies of 34 students were found in a church on Tuesday. The group were killed when a mudslide engulfed the church in which they were meeting. | |
| The bodies of some of the victims have been buried in a mass grave near Palu. The grave has space for more than 1,000 people. | |
| There is a major shortage of fuel in the region. Queues at petrol stations around Palu reportedly stretch for kilometres. | |
| The International Committee of Red Cross says 178 of its aid workers are on the ground in the area. | |
| More than 1,400 prisoners are missing from a local jails in the area. | |
| Desperation is visible everywhere in areas heavily damaged by an earthquake and tsunami, four days after the disaster devastated parts of Indonesia’s central Sulawesi island. | Desperation is visible everywhere in areas heavily damaged by an earthquake and tsunami, four days after the disaster devastated parts of Indonesia’s central Sulawesi island. |
| Signs propped along roads read “We Need Food” and “We Need Support,” while traffic was snarled by people waiting for fuel, reports the Associated Press. | Signs propped along roads read “We Need Food” and “We Need Support,” while traffic was snarled by people waiting for fuel, reports the Associated Press. |
| What is the Australian government doing to assist? | What is the Australian government doing to assist? |
| A reader of the liveblog has emailed in wanting to know what the Australian government is doing to aid the Indonesian government, given the need for urgent assistance. | A reader of the liveblog has emailed in wanting to know what the Australian government is doing to aid the Indonesian government, given the need for urgent assistance. |
| Christopher Pyne, minister for defence, was on RN Breakfast this morning and was asked this question. He said that he and Marise Payne, minister for foreign affairs, had reached out to their counterparts in Indonesia and offered Australia’s assistance and were waiting to hear from the Indonesian government how they could best help in the aftermath of the disaster. He told Fran Kelly: | Christopher Pyne, minister for defence, was on RN Breakfast this morning and was asked this question. He said that he and Marise Payne, minister for foreign affairs, had reached out to their counterparts in Indonesia and offered Australia’s assistance and were waiting to hear from the Indonesian government how they could best help in the aftermath of the disaster. He told Fran Kelly: |
| My understanding is the Indonesians are assessing what support they may require, and we stand ready to assist them once they let us know exactly what they need. So the offer is there, they are aware of it, they haven’t rejected it, they are just making their own assessment about what they might need and then they’ll come to us and I’m sure we’ll be assisting as soon as possible. | My understanding is the Indonesians are assessing what support they may require, and we stand ready to assist them once they let us know exactly what they need. So the offer is there, they are aware of it, they haven’t rejected it, they are just making their own assessment about what they might need and then they’ll come to us and I’m sure we’ll be assisting as soon as possible. |
| Pyne said they had vessels ready to sail to Sulawesi and aircraft that could go as well. But that “it would be wise” to wait until the Indonesians told them how they could assist. | Pyne said they had vessels ready to sail to Sulawesi and aircraft that could go as well. But that “it would be wise” to wait until the Indonesians told them how they could assist. |
| “I’m sure they will reach out to us if they want to.” | “I’m sure they will reach out to us if they want to.” |
| Thanks to the reader for the question and a reminder that if there’s anything you want to the blog to address, feel free to drop me a line on kate.lyons@theguardian.com or tweet me @mskatelyons | Thanks to the reader for the question and a reminder that if there’s anything you want to the blog to address, feel free to drop me a line on kate.lyons@theguardian.com or tweet me @mskatelyons |
| Anger is growing at the lack of aid and supplies reaching affected areas. While some agencies are on the ground, including the Red Cross, there is a dearth of food, clean water and shelter for the estimated 59,000 people who were displaced by Friday’s earthquake and tsunami. | Anger is growing at the lack of aid and supplies reaching affected areas. While some agencies are on the ground, including the Red Cross, there is a dearth of food, clean water and shelter for the estimated 59,000 people who were displaced by Friday’s earthquake and tsunami. |
| Kate Lamb, our reporter in Indonesia, has this analysis of the situation: | Kate Lamb, our reporter in Indonesia, has this analysis of the situation: |
| Damage to the airport at Palu has meant that only one runway is currently operational. So only one flight can land and leave before another can come in. Flights are also landing on visual approach only. This has meant planes and supplies have not been able to get in very quickly. | Damage to the airport at Palu has meant that only one runway is currently operational. So only one flight can land and leave before another can come in. Flights are also landing on visual approach only. This has meant planes and supplies have not been able to get in very quickly. |
| In disaster-prone Indonesia, incidents like this are a huge challenge for the disaster agency to coordinate. | In disaster-prone Indonesia, incidents like this are a huge challenge for the disaster agency to coordinate. |
| Yesterday, hundreds flocked to the airport to beg the military to evacuate them or give them food. Authorities were forced to temporarily shut down the airport down to deal with the chaos. | Yesterday, hundreds flocked to the airport to beg the military to evacuate them or give them food. Authorities were forced to temporarily shut down the airport down to deal with the chaos. |
| To avoid fighting over a place on the army Hercules aircraft, the coordinating security minister, Wiranto, has said a naval vessel named KRI Malassar will be used to transport victims from Palu to Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi. | To avoid fighting over a place on the army Hercules aircraft, the coordinating security minister, Wiranto, has said a naval vessel named KRI Malassar will be used to transport victims from Palu to Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi. |
| The disaster agency says that among the two worst hit areas are Balaroa in West Palu and Petobo. Authorities fear hundreds of people are still buried in these communities. | The disaster agency says that among the two worst hit areas are Balaroa in West Palu and Petobo. Authorities fear hundreds of people are still buried in these communities. |
| Balaroa and Petobo were particularly affected by liquefaction, which is when loose, water-filled soil near the surface loses its strength and collapses, causing all structures built on it to collapse. | Balaroa and Petobo were particularly affected by liquefaction, which is when loose, water-filled soil near the surface loses its strength and collapses, causing all structures built on it to collapse. |
| In Balaroa, more than 900 families living in government-supported housing have been affected and still have not received aid, reports our reporter on the ground Kate Lamb. | In Balaroa, more than 900 families living in government-supported housing have been affected and still have not received aid, reports our reporter on the ground Kate Lamb. |
| These satellite images give a sense of the devastation wreaked by the tsunami. | These satellite images give a sense of the devastation wreaked by the tsunami. |
| Indonesian rescue workers have discovered the bodies of 34 students killed when a mudslide caused by Friday’s quake on Sulawesi island engulfed their church, a local rescue official said. | Indonesian rescue workers have discovered the bodies of 34 students killed when a mudslide caused by Friday’s quake on Sulawesi island engulfed their church, a local rescue official said. |
| “A total of 34 bodies were found by the team,” Indonesia Red Cross spokeswoman Aulia Arriani told AFP Tuesday, adding that 86 students had initially been reported missing from a Bible camp at the Jonooge Church Training Centre in Sigi Biromaru district. | “A total of 34 bodies were found by the team,” Indonesia Red Cross spokeswoman Aulia Arriani told AFP Tuesday, adding that 86 students had initially been reported missing from a Bible camp at the Jonooge Church Training Centre in Sigi Biromaru district. |
| Arriani said rescuers faced an arduous trek to reach the mudslide and retrieve the victims. | Arriani said rescuers faced an arduous trek to reach the mudslide and retrieve the victims. |
| “The most challenging problem is travelling in the mud as much as 1.5 hours by foot while carrying the bodies to an ambulance,” she said. | “The most challenging problem is travelling in the mud as much as 1.5 hours by foot while carrying the bodies to an ambulance,” she said. |
| Central Sulawesi was devastated by a quake and tsunami on Friday evening, killing at least 844 people. A major tsunami smashed into the seaside city of Palu, sweeping away buildings, trees, cars and those unlucky enough to lie in its path. | Central Sulawesi was devastated by a quake and tsunami on Friday evening, killing at least 844 people. A major tsunami smashed into the seaside city of Palu, sweeping away buildings, trees, cars and those unlucky enough to lie in its path. |
| But there are fears the overall toll will mount significantly once more isolated regions have been reached. | But there are fears the overall toll will mount significantly once more isolated regions have been reached. |
| Mountainous Sigi Biromaru district is one of those more remote regions, lying to the southeast of Palu city. | Mountainous Sigi Biromaru district is one of those more remote regions, lying to the southeast of Palu city. |
| Indonesia is the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation but there are small pockets of religious minorities, including Christians, across the archipelago. | Indonesia is the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation but there are small pockets of religious minorities, including Christians, across the archipelago. |
| There is need for fuel supplies, but also a need to repair petrol stations, many of which were destroyed in the earthquake, so that people can access fuel reserves, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, the spokesperson for the government’s disaster agency has said. | There is need for fuel supplies, but also a need to repair petrol stations, many of which were destroyed in the earthquake, so that people can access fuel reserves, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, the spokesperson for the government’s disaster agency has said. |
| Sutopo tweeted a video showing some of the destruction at a petrol station, saying pumps had been damaged forcing the community to take their own fuel from the petrol stations using jerry cans and bottles. | Sutopo tweeted a video showing some of the destruction at a petrol station, saying pumps had been damaged forcing the community to take their own fuel from the petrol stations using jerry cans and bottles. |
| He said fuel was being brought to the city, but added that “emergency repairs to the gas station” were also needed. | He said fuel was being brought to the city, but added that “emergency repairs to the gas station” were also needed. |
| Masyarakat mengambil sendiri BBM di SPBU dengan menggunakan jerigen dan botol. Kondisi pompa SPBU banyak rusak terkena gempa dan tsunami di Kota Palu. Pertamina terus mengirim pasokan BBM dengan dikawal Polri. Perlu perbaikan darurat SPBU. pic.twitter.com/v1KvlfpMtT | Masyarakat mengambil sendiri BBM di SPBU dengan menggunakan jerigen dan botol. Kondisi pompa SPBU banyak rusak terkena gempa dan tsunami di Kota Palu. Pertamina terus mengirim pasokan BBM dengan dikawal Polri. Perlu perbaikan darurat SPBU. pic.twitter.com/v1KvlfpMtT |
| Sutopo Purwo Nugroh the spokesperson for the country’s | Sutopo Purwo Nugroh the spokesperson for the country’s |
| Four days after the devastating earthquake, there is still no power in the city of Palu, which was home to 300,000 people. Shops and restaurants are still closed and government and aid agencies have struggled to reach the city and bring in supplies to those who now find themselves homeless. | Four days after the devastating earthquake, there is still no power in the city of Palu, which was home to 300,000 people. Shops and restaurants are still closed and government and aid agencies have struggled to reach the city and bring in supplies to those who now find themselves homeless. |
| There are reports of looting in Palu, as people become desperate for supplies, writes our reporter on the ground Kate Lamb: | There are reports of looting in Palu, as people become desperate for supplies, writes our reporter on the ground Kate Lamb: |
| The military is denying [looting] but it is clearly happening. In some places emergency teams have reached them but supplies have not so they are getting desperate. | The military is denying [looting] but it is clearly happening. In some places emergency teams have reached them but supplies have not so they are getting desperate. |
| The government needs to sort it out as it’s a highly flammable situation – a mixture of extreme devastation and desperation. | The government needs to sort it out as it’s a highly flammable situation – a mixture of extreme devastation and desperation. |
| A spokesperson for the national police, Setyo Wasisto, said they would be forgiving of citizens “forced” to take basic necessities but would crack down harshly on people trying to take things beyond that. | A spokesperson for the national police, Setyo Wasisto, said they would be forgiving of citizens “forced” to take basic necessities but would crack down harshly on people trying to take things beyond that. |
| Friday’s earthquake led to more than 170 aftershocks and there are fears that more earthquakes could hit the region. | Friday’s earthquake led to more than 170 aftershocks and there are fears that more earthquakes could hit the region. |
| An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.2 was recorded this morning near the southern Indonesian island of Flores, said the US Geological Survey. | An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.2 was recorded this morning near the southern Indonesian island of Flores, said the US Geological Survey. |
| The quake, which hit about 250 km (155 miles) southwest of Ende on Flores, was later downgraded by the USGS to a magnitude of 5.9. There were no immediate tsunami alerts or reports of casualties or damage. | The quake, which hit about 250 km (155 miles) southwest of Ende on Flores, was later downgraded by the USGS to a magnitude of 5.9. There were no immediate tsunami alerts or reports of casualties or damage. |
| Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, the spokesperson for the country’s disaster agency (BNBP), has shared video of a fuel tank convoy consisting of 10 trucks accompanied by police. Our reporter Kate Lamb also saw a convoy of 10 fuel tanks accompanied by police on the road last night. | Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, the spokesperson for the country’s disaster agency (BNBP), has shared video of a fuel tank convoy consisting of 10 trucks accompanied by police. Our reporter Kate Lamb also saw a convoy of 10 fuel tanks accompanied by police on the road last night. |
| The convoy is travelling toward Palu to deal with the scarcity of fuel in the city, said Sutopo, which is still without power four days after the earthquake hit. | The convoy is travelling toward Palu to deal with the scarcity of fuel in the city, said Sutopo, which is still without power four days after the earthquake hit. |
| 10 tangki BBM konvoi menuju Palu dikawal Polri untuk suplai BBM. Pasokan BBM dari darat dan udara dengan pesawar khusus terus dikirim ke Palu untuk mengatasi kelangkaan BBM. pic.twitter.com/4Y1AqaCJSG | 10 tangki BBM konvoi menuju Palu dikawal Polri untuk suplai BBM. Pasokan BBM dari darat dan udara dengan pesawar khusus terus dikirim ke Palu untuk mengatasi kelangkaan BBM. pic.twitter.com/4Y1AqaCJSG |
| Our reporter Kate Lamb is on the road outside of Palu. Her account of the journey into the city reveals something of the difficulties faced by government and aid agencies in getting supplies to those who need them, and also of the desperation of those who are waiting for news of loved ones. | Our reporter Kate Lamb is on the road outside of Palu. Her account of the journey into the city reveals something of the difficulties faced by government and aid agencies in getting supplies to those who need them, and also of the desperation of those who are waiting for news of loved ones. |
| She writes: | She writes: |
| The road to Palu is one of the stories of the disaster. Last night we passed 10 Pertamina fuel trucks being sent in, escorted by police, as well as cranes for heavy lifting, convoys of supplies, teenagers collecting donations. | The road to Palu is one of the stories of the disaster. Last night we passed 10 Pertamina fuel trucks being sent in, escorted by police, as well as cranes for heavy lifting, convoys of supplies, teenagers collecting donations. |
| In Mamuju, one guy who has set up an emergency post tried to give us bakso (meatballs) for free. A group of brothers were also on the road, from Bandung, racing to Palu to get word of their parents. | In Mamuju, one guy who has set up an emergency post tried to give us bakso (meatballs) for free. A group of brothers were also on the road, from Bandung, racing to Palu to get word of their parents. |
| Hello and welcome to today’s live coverage of the disaster in Indonesia. | Hello and welcome to today’s live coverage of the disaster in Indonesia. |
| Eight hundred and forty-four people have been confirmed dead – a death toll that is expected to climb significantly – and 59,000 have been displaced after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake hit the island of Sulawesi on Friday morning. The earthquake caused a tsunami and around 170 aftershocks and was the most devastating to hit Indonesia since the earthquake that triggered the Boxing Day tsunami in 2004. | Eight hundred and forty-four people have been confirmed dead – a death toll that is expected to climb significantly – and 59,000 have been displaced after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake hit the island of Sulawesi on Friday morning. The earthquake caused a tsunami and around 170 aftershocks and was the most devastating to hit Indonesia since the earthquake that triggered the Boxing Day tsunami in 2004. |
| Government and aid agencies have been slow to reach Palu and supplies are low. There have been reports of looting, as people become desperate for food and other supplies. | Government and aid agencies have been slow to reach Palu and supplies are low. There have been reports of looting, as people become desperate for food and other supplies. |
| I’ll be bringing you the news as it unfolds today. If you have any tips or questions that you’d like the blog to address, get in touch with me via email at kate.lyons@theguardian.com or on Twitter @mskatelyons | I’ll be bringing you the news as it unfolds today. If you have any tips or questions that you’d like the blog to address, get in touch with me via email at kate.lyons@theguardian.com or on Twitter @mskatelyons |