In Indonesia, the death toll from Friday’s devastating earthquake and tsunami continues to rise, with the official toll now topping 1,400. An Indonesian government spokesperson said rescue efforts continue as the risk of hunger, disease and a lack of basic necessities pose new challenges.
Sutopo Purwo Nugroho: “2,509 people are heavily injured and being treated in hospitals, 113 people are missing, 152 people have been buried, and 70,821 people have taken refuge in 141 different spots.”
A volcano on the island of Sulawesi, where Friday’s earthquake and tsunami occurred, has erupted, spewing volcanic ash into the air and further complicating rescue efforts. Meanwhile, scientists are warning that rising sea levels due to climate change will make future tsunamis like last week’s disaster even more destructive.