Rescuers combed through the rubble of crumbling buildings in Mamuju, Indonesia, searching for survivors of a 6.2 magnitude earthquake, while strong aftershocks shook the region.
So far, 46 deaths and more than 820 injuries have been attributed to the quake, which was centered early Friday just south of the city with about 110,000 people in the province of Western Sulawes.
The temple demolished a hospital, destroyed a shopping mall, damaged two hotels, local government offices and the city’s airport. No major damage was attributed to Saturday’s aftershock at 5.0.
Multiple, smaller aftershocks also shook the area.
It is not clear how many people are believed to be trapped under similar buildings, although authorities have focused on the hotels. At least a dozen patients and staff went missing after the hospital collapsed.
Rescue supplies are flowing about 900 kilometers northwest of the capital Jakarta to the island, and the Indonesian navy is reportedly sending a medical ship to the damaged area to help treat hundreds of injured.
About 15,000 residents fled to temporary shelters, local authorities said.
Authorities are concerned about another major outcry and have warned residents to stay away from the sea due to the risk of a tsunami.
Indonesia is regularly hit by the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire by earthquakes. In 2018, a 7.5 magnitude earthquake in Palu, about 250 kilometers north of Mamuju on Sulawesi Island, and the ensuing tsunami that killed more than 4,300 people on the island.
With Post Wires