Mass Burials In Indonesia As Tsunami-Quake Death Toll Hits 832

The number of deaths from the earthquake and indigenous tsunami disaster in Indonesia almost doubled to 832 on Sunday and is expected to increase further by asking authorities to announce mass burials in a desperate attempt to prevent the disease.

As the crumbling survivors wiped out dead for their loved ones and the authorities were struggling to take out the living or appreciate the scale of the disaster beyond the city of Palu, there came the bleak warning that the final taxes could reach thousands.

"Victims will continue to grow," said National Disaster Service spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, whose service announced the tax leap from 420 earlier.



"Today we will begin the mass burial of the victims, to prevent the spread of the disease."

Rescuers on Sulawesi Island struggled against the clock and lack of equipment to save those who are still trapped in the ruins, while up to 60 people are afraid to be under one Palu hotel. The rescuers said they heard voices and that a child was shouting under the ruins.

The desperate survivors, now facing a third straight night sleeping outdoors, turned to looting for basics such as food, water and fuel as the police looked, reluctantly or unable to intervene.

May God have mercy on them.