Jakarta, Indonesia - A massive earthquake with a magnitude of 7.5 has struck the Indonesian island of Sulawesi on Friday, September 28th. The quake was followed by a series of aftershocks and a tsunami that devastated the coastal city of Palu.
The disaster has caused widespread destruction across the region, leaving hundreds dead and many more injured or missing. According to reports from local authorities, at least 832 people are confirmed dead so far with that number expected to rise.
The powerful earthquake triggered landslides and destroyed buildings in Palu where many people were attending a beach festival when the tsunami hit. Rescue teams have been working tirelessly to find survivors who may still be trapped under rubble or debris.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo expressed his condolences for those affected by the disaster and ordered all possible resources to be deployed for rescue efforts. Military personnel have been deployed along with equipment and supplies to assist in search and rescue missions.
International aid organizations such as UNICEF, Oxfam, Save The Children, and Red Cross have pledged their support towards relief efforts in Sulawesi. Australia also offered assistance including sending medical staffs along with other supplies via military aircrafts.
This devastating earthquake is one of several natural disasters that Indonesia has faced this year alone including earthquakes in Lombok Island earlier this summer which killed over 500 people.
As search and rescue missions continue amidst challenging conditions due to poor weather it is clear that emergency services face an uphill task dealing with what has become another major natural catastrophe for Indonesia.