A paramount earthquake, with a 6.2 magnitude, hit the Sulawesi island in Indonesia on Friday, killing more than 42 people and injuring hundreds, as the search continues for more.
The Mitra Manakarra Hospital in Mamuju also collapsed when the earthquake struck, resulting in eight deaths. Several were safely evacuated. Reports indicate that several other buildings have also been adversely affected. These include a military command office in Majene, and hotels along with government buildings in Mamuju.
A large number of people are still trapped under collapsed buildings and rubble, local search and rescue teams have revealed.
Head of the Local Search and Rescue Agency of Mamuju, West Sulawesi, Saidar Rahmanjaya, told local local television, “”Our obstacle here is that we don’t have heavy equipment to rescue them.”
The Indonesian President, Joko Widodo has offered his condolences to the victims, urging people for patience and for rescue officials to speed up the process.
