07 Oct 2018 | 08:34 AM UTC
Indonesia: Earthquake death toll climbs to 1763 October 7 /update 11
Relief efforts continue in Central Sulawesi as death toll rises to 1763; an estimated 5000 people missing; repairs to Palu airport (PLW) runway expected to be completed October 12
Event
Indonesian disaster relief officials announced that 1763 people had died as of Sunday, October 7, in the earthquake and tsunami that struck Sulawesi on September 28. A further 5000 people are estimated to be missing. Some progress has been made repairing transportation routes; the trans-Sulawesi road was cleared and passable in Sigi regency, near Sigi Biromaru, and officials announced that Palu's Mutiara SIS Al-Jufri Airport (PLW) runway would be repaired by Friday, October 12. The airport is currently operating with a 2000 m (6500 ft) runway, as the remaining 250 m (820 ft) was damaged in the earthquake. According to local media sources, PLW is accepting limited commercial flights and serviced eight domestic flights on Saturday, October 6.
Officials have warned of the spread of disease (e.g. diarrhea, cholera, dysentery, malaria) and the threat of looting as relief efforts continue amid severely damaged infrastructure in Central Sulawesi. The region continues to experience severe shortages of food, water, medicine, and fuel. Transportation, telecommunication, electricity, and plumbing and sewage infrastructure remains damaged, particularly in areas away from Palu.
Context
A 7.5-magnitude earthquake hit Central Sulawesi province at 18:02 on September 28, 81 km (50 mi) north of Palu at a depth of 10 km (6 mi), causing a tsunami around 2 m (6 ft) high that struck the western coast of Sulawesi and Palu.
Indonesia lies within the active seismic zone known as "the Pacific Ring of Fire."
Advice
Individuals present in the impacted region are advised to monitor the situation, be prepared for further aftershocks, adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities, and not to cross a roadblock without permission. Individuals elsewhere in Indonesia are advised to defer all travel to the affected areas until further notice.
During an earthquake, individuals are advised to protect themselves as much as possible from falling debris if indoors (e.g. under a table), to move away from windows and exterior walls, and do not attempt to leave the building unless there is an immediate danger. If outdoors, move away from any tall structures, such as buildings, utility wires, and streetlights.
