Indonesia – Earthquakes and Tsunami Cause Devastation in Sulawesi

A series of earthquakes on the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia on 28 September, 2018, triggered a tsunami that flooded northern parts of the island, causing widespread damage and destruction.

After the earthquake and tsunami in Sulawesi, Indonesia, September, 2018 Photo: BNPB

The epicentre of strongest quake – measured at 7.5 Mw magnitude – was around 60km north of the city of Palu. Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics (BMKG), said that there had been at least 170 aftershocks between 28 and 30 September.

AHA Centre reports that the areas of Donggala, Palu, Parigi Moutong and Sigi have all been severely affected by the quakes and the tsunami wave, which was reported to be between 3 and 6 metres high.

As of 30 September, Indonesia’s disaster management agency (BNPB) said that at least 832 people have died in the disaster, with the number expected to rise as several districts are still inaccessible due to the extensive damage to infrastructure. The Red Cross said that many of those killed were from the city of Palu, where the earthquake and tsunami also destroyed scores of buildings. At least 540 people have been injured.

As many as 16,732 people have been displaced and are being housed in 24 relief camps. Many areas are without electricity and have limited drinking water supplies. AHA Centre says that up to 1.5 million people could be affected by the tsunami and quakes.

After the earthquake and tsunami in Sulawesi, Indonesia, September, 2018 Photo: BNPB
After the earthquake and tsunami in Sulawesi, Indonesia, September, 2018 Photo: BNPB
After the earthquake and tsunami in Sulawesi, Indonesia, September, 2018 Photo: BNPB

Flood Summary

Last updated: October 9, 2018
Event
Sulawesi, Indonesia, September 2018
Date
September 28 to October 1, 2018
Type
Coastal flood
Cause
Tsunami
A series of earthquakes on the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia on 28 September, 2018, triggered a tsunami that flooded northern parts of the island, causing widespread damage and destruction.

Locations

A - Donggala
B - Palu

Magnitude

Tsunami wave height
3 metres
Sulawesi - September 28 to September 28, 2018

Damages

Fatalities
1,948
September 28 to October 4, 2018
All damage figures are from BNPB (Indonesia's Disaster Management Agency). These are combined figures for tsunami and earthquake.
Injured
10,679
September 28 to October 4, 2018
Evacuated
74,444
September 28 to October 4, 2018
Missing people
835 people
September 28 to October 9, 2018