The death toll from the tsunami and earthquake in the Indonesian city of Palu has reached 832 people, The Guardian newspaper reported, citing the country's vice-president, Jusuf Kalla, Interfax reports.
Kalla noted that "the number of victims could rise to several thousand." Earlier, the media reported that over 400 people had died. The death toll continues to rise because search operations are ongoing and not all of the destroyed buildings have been dismantled and inspected.
A magnitude 7.5 earthquake has struck Sulawesi island, devastating the cities of Palu and Dunggala, Indonesia's National Disaster Prevention Agency (BNPB) said.
Local authorities said roads into Palu from the east and south were broken, hampering rescue efforts. Indonesian Security Minister Wiranto ordered aid planes to be sent from the Indonesian capital Jakarta.
According to BNPB, the most destructive tsunamis occurred in the city of Palu in 1927 and 1968.
Indonesia is part of the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire (a powerful tectonic fault). This area contains the most active tectonic plates, one of which is moving at a speed of seven centimeters per year.
Source: trn-news.ru
