Indonesian Earthquake Triggers Tsunami

  This is a developing story; please check back frequently for more information** An earthquake reaching a magnitude of 7.5 has triggered a Tsunami causing major damage on Sulawesi Island, Indonesia. Waves reaching 10-feet have swept away houses in at least two cities not long after authorities had lifted a tsunami warning. The tsunami hit Palu, the capital of central Sulawesi province, as well as the smaller city of Donggala and several other coastal settlements. Videos on social media depict people in hysteria running in panic. Last month, a series of earthquakes struck the Indonesian island of Lombok, killing hundreds of people.  Disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho reported communications and power to the area were disrupted. “The cut to telecommunications and darkness are hampering efforts to obtain information. All national potential will be deployed, and tomorrow morning we will deploy Hercules and helicopters to provide assistance in tsunami-affected areas” According to the US Geological Survey, the main quake was relatively shallow in preliminary observations as it hit just off central Sulawesi at a depth of 10km  just before 18:00 (11:00 GMT). A tsunami warning was issued and then subsequently lifted within the hour.    Indonesia’s meteorology and geophysics agency (BMKG) head, Dwikorita Karnawati, announced […]