The Tsunami in Indonesia that Killed 384 People, Here’s What We Know So Far

It happened on Friday (28 Sep), when a very powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake hit Palu city, within the islands of Sulawesi, Indonesia. The world was left shocked after multiple videos surfaced of the tsunami crashing in to beach, slowly making its way in land, and then sweeping everything in its path.

At least 384 people are dead in Indonesia following a massive 7.5-magnitude quake that triggered a tsunami pic.twitter.com/L37vRb6gez

— Joel Franco (@OfficialJoelF) September 29, 2018

Dramatic video shows a man trying to warn people as a tsunami approaches the Indonesian city of Palu; at least 420 people killed pic.twitter.com/3JYOVrWC7A

— BNO News (@BNONews) September 29, 2018

1. Scientists did not expect the tsunami

As reported by National Geographic, scientists did not expect the tsunami, which has caused confusion when they sent out and retracted warning messages to the community. Alas it was suggested that the unusual disaster was caused by the unique geology of the area.

Source: telegraph

2. The waves were 3 to 5 metres high

Indonesian officials estimated that the height of the Tsunami waves were about 3-5 metres high. One video even showed the waves crashing over a building’s roof, before the building disappeared beneath the water.

3. Current death toll is at 384

Source: the australian

While 540 people were injured and 29 are still missing.

Currently, as reported by al Jazeera, the death toll at 384 and all of them are from Palu, the city that was struck by the tsunami. The number might increase as intensive SAR are being conducted at the moment.

4. Now there’s more than 150 aftershocks

The whole disaster started with a 6.1-magnitude quake which already caused one death. This was followed by 27 aftershocks which then led to the big 7.5-magnitude shallow quake, only 6 mile deep. But the island is still currently experiencing aftershocks, more than 150 at the moment.

Source: telegraph

5. The tsunami caused massive disruption and destruction

Source: IDN Times

Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Bencana (BNPB), the natural disaster agency of Indonesia, has released a statement, explaining that the series of disasters have crippled the communications in the area as well as power outages, but they have seek assistance from the Indonesian army, with the search and rescue process.

Source: telegraph

Apparently, Palu has experienced being hit by tsunamis before; one in 1927 and the other in 1968. However, the latest one did the most devastation on the area.

BNBP spokesperson, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, told reporters as quoted by Washington Post,

“People are encouraged to remain vigilant. It is better not to be in a house or a building because potential aftershocks can be dangerous. People are encouraged to gather in safe areas. Avoid the slopes of hills.” 

All of us here pray for the safety of those who have been effected by the earthquake and tsunami that hit the Sulawesi Islands. Hopefully those who survived are given enough help in order to rebuild their lives after experiencing such horrible disasters.

Also read: 30yo M’sian Successfully Climbed A Volcano Hours Before Getting Killed in Indonesian Earthquake