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30th Sep 2018

Official Indonesia tsunami death toll has doubled since yesterday and is expected to rise

Carl Kinsella

Indonesia tsunami

842 people have now been confirmed dead after a tsunami hit the Indonesian island of Sulawesi on Friday.

The Red Cross estimates that more than 1.6 million people have been affected by the earthquake and tsunami.

Original reports had placed the death toll at around 48 people. A second update had placed the number at just under 400.

It has also been noted that the original figures only included the city of Palu, and that there are other affected coastal regions where communications are still down. While the tsunami first hit almost 24 hours ago, the devastation it has caused is only beginning to come to light.

Now, the death toll is expected to rise beyond 1000. According to the Guardian, “Only 11 deaths have been reported so far from Donggala, the worst hit area, so casualties are expected to rise sharply when rescue teams gain access.”

Electricity in the area is said to be down, and the airport for the region has been temporarily closed.

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