The number of people killed by the Indonesian tsunami increased to more than 100

More than 100 bodies were found with 502 others still missing after an earthquake caused by an earthquake hit the coast of small islands off Sumatra, devastating many houses and flattening 10 villages in the area. this area.

Victims of earthquake tsunami in Padang, West Sumatra. (Photo: Reuters)

The tsunami appeared after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake that occurred below 20 km below the ocean floor near the Mentawai archipelago, off the western island of Sumatra, the second night.AFP cited sources reported by Indonesian national disaster response spokesman Agolo Suparto, saying that 10 villages on the Mentawai Islands have been hit by tsunamis.

A local legislator, Hendri Dori Satoko, confirmed with Metro TV: "Our latest data from the crisis center shows 108 people were killed and 502 missing ." Meanwhile, the Indonesian Ministry of Health said 113 bodies were found dead due to the tsunami in the area.

Limited communication system makes it difficult to collect damage information by tsunami earthquakes. Currently more than 200 body bags have been transferred to the area of ​​the tsunami to prepare for receiving ill victims.

The search and rescue activities for victims are facing difficulties due to bad weather. Heavy rains caused rescue helicopters to be unable to reach the disaster area, while ships had not reached the severely affected islands of South Pagai and North Pagai because the wharves were destroyed by tsunamis. Witnesses say huge waves of up to 3 meters swept deep into the mainland about 600 meters on the island of Nam Pagai in the Mentawai archipelago.

Meanwhile, the BBC said Australian officials have not been able to contact a group of surfers in the area that struck an earthquake that caused a tsunami in Indonesia. The group consists of nine Australian citizens and a Japanese who are traveling on a rented ship called the Southern Cross to reach the famous surfing area in the area when they encounter a disaster.

Indonesia is located on an unstable area of ​​the earth's crust, known as the Pacific Ring of Fire, so earthquakes and volcanic eruptions often occur. Earlier in December 2004, a 9.1-magnitude earthquake also struck off the coast of Sumatra that caused tsunamis across the Indian Ocean, killing more than 230,000 people in 13 countries including Indonesia and Sri Lanka. , India and Thailand.