Terrifying Moment People Flee As Tsunami Hits Indonesian Town

Agnus Dei

Shocking footage shows the terrifying moment a huge tsunami hit the Indonesian town of Palu earlier this week. 

A 7.4 magnitude earthquake caused the tsunami to strike the Indonesian island of Sulawesi on Friday (September 28), with the waves reaching six metres high in some areas.

Hundreds of fatalities were caused by the shocking events, with the death toll on the island having risen to 832 at the time of writing.

It is the most devastating earthquake to have hit Indonesia since 2004.

Watch the frightening moment the tsunami hit here:

The video was taken in Palu, where 821 of the deaths reported so far occurred.

People could be heard shouting as they ran away from the open sides of the building while the water came rushing towards the town, taking out cars, trees and buildings.

The city has been destroyed, and now has no electricity. Drinking water is in short supply, and fuel is running low.

Damage to hospitals means those injured are being treated in tents, while many survivors have been sleeping outside after warnings not to return to their homes as a precaution, the BBC report.

A tsunami warning was issued, but was reportedly lifted within an hour. Many people were preparing for a festival on the beach, and there are fears some of their bodies may have been washed out to sea.

A video shared on Twitter showed one person gesturing desperately at the waves to try and warn people of their significance.

Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, a spokesman for the national disaster mitigation agency, shared the video, writing (translated):

Still many people on the beach when the tsunami hit before crashing Beach City Hammer (28/9/2018). No siren goes off. Many do not know community threats so still do activities on the beach. Eventually many of the victims of the tsunami [sic]

Rescue missions are underway to try and save those who are trapped in the rubble of buildings, but the lack of heavy equipment needed to assist in the rescues is causing issues.

There are believed to be 50 people trapped under the ruins of the Roa Roa hotel in Palu, some of whom can be heard shouting for help under the rubble.

Nugroho shared a video of the ongoing rescue mission:

According to Associated Press, Muhammad Syaugi, head of the national search and rescue team, said:

We are trying our best. Time is so important here to save people. Heavy equipment is on the way.

Dwi Haris spoke to AP about his version of the devastating events, explaining he was in town for a wedding with his family.

He said:

There was no time to save ourselves. I was squeezed into the ruins of the wall, I think. I heard my wife cry for help, but then silence. I don’t know what happened to her and my child. I hope they are safe.

Haris suffered a broken back and shoulder, and was treated outside Palu’s Army Hospital.

Our thoughts are with all those who are suffering from the devastating events.

If you have a story you want to tell, send it to [email protected]. 

Emily Brown

Emily Brown first began delivering important news stories aged just 13, when she launched her career with a paper round. She graduated with a BA Hons in English Language in the Media from Lancaster University, and went on to become a freelance writer and blogger. Emily contributed to The Sunday Times Travel Magazine and Student Problems before becoming a journalist at UNILAD, where she works on breaking news as well as longer form features.