Death Toll in Indonesia Quakes Reaches 608

Padang, Indonesia (AHN) – With hope of of finding survivors alive greatly diminishing, authorities on Monday began clearing the rubble left in the wake of two devastating earthquakes that rocked Indonesia last week. The death toll on Monday climbed to 608 with fears of the number going much higher.

Authorities have ended the rescue operation that was ongoing in Padang, and have shifted their focus to recovering bodies. Despite the rebuilding process beginning, there is little power, fuel and clean water are in severe shortages and the area’s tourism industry has been critically damaged.

According to the National Agency for Disaster Management, 343 people as of Monday have been reported missing, 285 of them in the Pariaman region of West Sumatra. However, earlier reports put the estimated number at being close to a 1,000 souls.

A 7.6-magnitude quake struck Sumatra on Wednesday, and shortly thereafter on Thursday a 6.6-magnitude quake added to the region’s devastation.

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