In the evening of Friday the 28 September 2018, the city of Palu and Donggala in Central Sulawesi, was hit by a magnitude 7.4 earthquake with the epicentre at 10 km deep located 27 km away from Donggala City. It is at the Palu-Koro active fault in Central Sulawesi. The earthquake triggered tsunami along coastal areas in Palu and also in Donggala. Aftershocks are still felt with the latest 5.5 magnitude on 29 September 2018 at 04:24 am (local time). Initial report from the BNPB (National Disaster Management Agency) says that dozens buildings collapsed in Palu and Donggala. Early Sunday (30 September 2018), Indonesian Disaster Management Agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho put the death toll at 405 , but the number is expected to rise. At least 540 have been injured, and 29 are listed as missing. Rescue efforts are underway with the national support being ready to be deployed. People are advised to be on alert and remain outside of their homes for fear of the powerful aftershocks. Electricity and most telecommunication providers are still cut off. The airport in Palu released the formal closure of the airport operation until 29 September 2018 at 07:20 pm due to damage of air traffic controller system. Thus, any relief deployment will be through alternative land and air transports (other airport routes). It is expected that the local authority will declare the state of emergency as soon as possible.

Alerts Earthquake in Central Sulawesi