Rescue workers in Indonesia are anxiously continuing their search for survivors in the coastal city of Palu.
This follows a 7.5 magnitude earthquake occurring on Friday, September 28. The earthquake took place at a shallow depth of 10km, just off the central Sulawesi. This caused a tsunami to roar through the city of Palu, which has a population of 335 000 people.
The city is in a state of carnage. Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, the Indonesian Disaster Management Agency spokesperson, says the death toll stands at 405 people, as of September 30. More than 400 people are facing severe injuries.
The neighbouring fishing town, Donggala also faces a certain degree of damage by the 10-foot tsunami. Currently, all electricity and communications are down in both towns. Sutopo says this makes it difficult to assess just how truly bad the damage is.
Relief workers are currently aiding emergency personnel.
A lot of the wounded are receiving assistance in tents. The electricity in the hospital is also out and hospital staff are looking at the public in assisting by sending more tents, medicine, canvas and nurses.
The horrific incident began on Friday afternoon at 3 pm. A series of tremors were felt 56km north of Palu. This was followed by three more quakes, of 4.9 and larger magnitudes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQ_78iYGNw4
Before the tsunami came thundering, the city was of Palu was preparing for a festival, Many people were still on the beach when the water swept them up.
With the quake and water wreaking havoc, some people apparently survived by climbing high trees.
While many are focusing on the injured and dead, 560 prisoners are on the loose, The inmates apparently escaped after the prison walls collapsed.
This is the second tragedy to hit Indonesia in less than two months. In August, a series of earthquakes hit the island of Lombok, killing 460 people.
As the world now looks at Palu and the city of Palu, our thoughts and prayers are with the residents of Palu.
