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Earthquake and Tsunami in Palu

Rescue efforts are ongoing in and around the city of Palu in Central Sulawesi, where an earthquake and a resulting tsunami devasted the coastal town. The north of the island also witnessed a volcanic eruption, although there have been no reported casualties and the situation is currently under control.

Palu was struck by a 7.5 magnitude earthquake on Friday, 28^th September, which caused major damage to buildings and infrastructure. This also triggered a tidal wave just offshore, which is thought to have been caused by an underwater landslide close to the bay in Palu, rather than tectonic shifts out at sea. The official death toll from the pair of disasters in Palu has now reached 2,010 and is expected to rise as more of the areas most severely affected are reached by teams of rescuers. Aid agencies, governments and volunteers have found getting aid in – and survivors out – to be challenging, due to the damaged infrastructure resulting from the earthquake and its subsequent aftershocks.

Eruption at Mount Soputan

At 8:47 am local time on Wednesday, 3^rd  October, North Sulawesi’s Mount Soputan volcano erupted, releasing a 4-kilometre column of ash into the skies above Minahasa regency. The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (CVGHM) has raised the volcano’s alert status to Level III (alert) in the four-tiered system. The agency has also set up a 6.5-kilometre safety cordon surrounding the mountain, which residents and visitors have been advised to avoid. The North Sulawesi Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) has distributed masks to residents of the affected areas.

Makassar and Toraja – Sulawesi’s most popular tourist destinations – were unaffected by the earthquake, tsunami and eruption; and their airports are continuing to operate as normal. Damage assessments in the affected regions of the island are ongoing, and we are currently waiting for further statements from the Indonesian government and disaster management agency (BNPB). We can confirm that all Panorama Destination clients in Sulawesi have been accounted for and thankfully all are safe and well. Our team of guides and drivers in each of the regions have also checked in to let us know they are ok. Rescue operations are ongoing in the affected zones, and we are doing all we can to help those in need. Outside the immediate vicinity of Palu and Mount Soputan, tourism activities are continuing as usual in Sulawesi.

Panorama Destination, in collaboration with Asia World, has set up a fundraising campaign to help the victims of the earthquake in Palu. With your help, we will get food, water, clothing and medical supplies to the areas where they are needed most. To make a donation, please click here.

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