Environmental: On 28 September 2018, a magnitude 7.5 earthquake was detected just off the central island of Sulawesi. Following the earthquake a tsunami engulfed the city of Palu, despite the warning being initially stood down
Environmental: On 28 September 2018, a magnitude 7.5 earthquake was detected just off the central island of Sulawesi. Following the earthquake a tsunami engulfed the city of Palu, despite the warning being initially stood down. The death toll has risen to 1,407 with around 2, 400 remaining injured. The death toll is expected to continue to rise with around 113 people still unaccounted for.
Much of the city is in ruins with around 60,000 people displaced. The airport was initially closed and remains damaged however on 03 October it was announced that aid supplies were being brought in by military aircrafts and that some commercial flights would resume.
In the wake of the environmental disaster, local residents have begun looting local shops. Police have begun using tear gas and rubber bullets in an attempt to disperse crowds raiding shops. 92 people have been arrested so far for looting. Shortly after the tsunami, police took a step back and allowed residents to loot shops for basic supplies if they so required.
Following the earthquake and subsequent tsunami, the volcano Mount Soputan began erupting on the same island. The volcano is around 1,000 km from Palu and has been reported as not an immediate threat to aid operations.
Indonesia sits at the crossroads of three tectonic plates 