By Dandy Koswaraputra
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AA) – Rescue efforts continued in Indonesia on Saturday in the aftermath of a deadly earthquake and tsunami eight days ago.
A 7.4-magnitude earthquake and tsunami hit Sulawesi Island on Sept. 28 leaving thousands dead and injured and hundreds missing.
According to the Indonesian National Board for Disaster Management (BNPB), the death toll from the natural disaster has risen to 1,649, with 113 people missing.
Some 2,549 people are critically injured and are receiving treatment at hospitals in and outside Palu city, the board added.
More than 1,400 bodies were buried in a mass grave.
A total of 66,238 houses are estimated to be destroyed, and the number of internally displaced people has climbed to 70,821.
Telecommunication networks have been partially restored in the affected area.
