Death toll from last week’s earthquake and
tsunami in Indonesia has climbed to over 1,500, fresh reports have emerged.
“In Balaroa village, on the outskirts of
Palu, everything is destroyed. The streets
are ruined and there’s no water or
sanitation facilities for people gathered in
shelters. Most families only have one tarp
and one mat,” said Catholic Relief Service
aid worker Fatwa Fadillah, who is on the
ground near Palu, one of the worst-hit
areas.
“At Talise beach, where the tsunami came
ashore, it’s a scene of devastation and
search and rescue teams are still looking
for survivors. All along the coast, you can
see just how massive the tsunami was and
the extent of the damage. Body bags are
lining the road and the smell is almost
unbearable,” Fadillah added.
“It’s extremely hot and most people are
sitting under tarps, just waiting. They’re
waiting for aid and the sun to go down.
They have nothing to do but wait.”
Reuters reported on Friday morning that
the official death toll from the 7.5-
magnitude earthquake and tsunami that
followed stands at 1,571, but it is
expected to rise further.
Ichsan Hidayat, a survivor on Sulawesi
island, said that the bodies of his sister
and her 43-day-old daughter were found
under the debris. The mother was
clutching her baby to her chest.
“Today, I prayed that they are in a better
place. They deserve better,” Hidayat, a
Muslim, said.
Petobo resident Hasnah said that more
than half of her family is gone.
