Death toll rises after Indonesia tsunami
Baku, October 26 (AZERTAC). At least 23 people have been killed and 167 are missing in Indonesia after a localised tsunami triggered by Monday`s earthquake off the coast of Sumatra.
Scores of houses were destroyed by waves after the 7.5 magnitude quake, which struck 13 miles (20km) under the ocean floor near the Mentawai islands. A local police officer told the BBC that bad weather had delayed a search and rescue operation.
Australian officials are trying to contact a group of missing surfers.
The group of between eight and 10 missing Australians was on a surfing charter boat in the area. Poor telephone coverage was hampering efforts to contact them, Australia`s Department of Foreign Affairs said.
There were conflicting reports on whether Monday`s quake had generated a tsunami. Within the first few minutes of the earthquake Indonesian authorities issued a tsunami alert, but later gave the all clear. So far, 23 bodies have been found and at least 167 people are missing, according to officials from the country`s Disaster Management Agency.
A huge wave is reported to have washed away hundreds of homes in two coastal villages on Pagai and Silabu, which are part of the remote Mentawai island chain.
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