Indonesia death toll tops 200
Indonesia death toll tops 200
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Thursday, 22, Jun 2006 03:13
More than 200 people are now feared dead and many more are still missing on the flood-hit central Indonesian province of Sulawesi.
Torrential rainfall since Monday caused flash flooding and landslides to occur in the early hours of yesterday morning and despite the efforts of rescue operations the death toll is still rising.
Local officials have confirmed that over 200 people have died, 184 of whom perished in the worst-hit district of Sinjai, 1,000 miles north-east of the country's capital Jakarta.
At least 145 people are still missing and are feared to be trapped under the mud and floodwater.
Indonesia's social affairs ministry has revealed that several hundred homes have been destroyed or badly damaged as floodwaters in some areas reach six feet in depth.
Social minister Bachtiar Chamsah told the Associated Press yesterday that medicines and provisions have been sent to the area but much more needs to be done.
"We are overwhelmed with the bodies here," Mr Chamsah said. "We need help, especially body bags."
Access to the scene has proved problematic and members of the disaster task force have been frustrated in their attempts to transport aid and rescue equipment.