INDONESIA: Search for victims to end, though hundreds still missing

Indonesian officials have said the search for victims of last month’s earthquake and tsunami is to end on Thursday – despite the fact hundreds of people are still unaccounted for. The disaster struck part of Sulawesi two weeks ago, leaving at least 1,754 dead and another 2,549 injured. Officially, 683 people remain missing, though some […]

Indonesian officials have said the search for victims of last month’s earthquake and tsunami is to end on Thursday – despite the fact hundreds of people are still unaccounted for.

The disaster struck part of Sulawesi two weeks ago, leaving at least 1,754 dead and another 2,549 injured.

Officially, 683 people remain missing, though some put that figure far higher. No-one has been found alive since the third day of the search.

The city of Palu has been hardest hit. More than 30 were found in one place on Saturday alone, with more found on Sunday.

Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesman for Indonesia’s disaster agency, said those who had not been found by Thursday would be listed as missing, presumed dead.

The focus will then shift to a relief operation, to help the at least 70,000 people displaced by the disaster.