By Azis Kurmala

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud expressed readiness to render any assistance to support Indonesia in the aftermath of the large-scale destruction from a 7.4-magnitude earthquake and tsunami that struck Central Sulawesi.

King Salman also conveyed his support for the victims of a 7.4-magnitude earthquake hit Central Sulawesi, according to a statement of Saudi Arabian Embassy in Jakarta received here on Tuesday.

"On behalf of myself and the entire people of Saudi Arabia, we extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to the victims and families of those affected," King Salman said.

Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud had been in direct contact with Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Monday (1/10).

In addition, King Salman begged Allah, God Almighty, to pour out grace for the victims.

On the other hand, President Joko Widodo expressed his gratitude to Khadimul Haramain as-Syarifain, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for the support of the Saudi government and its people to Indonesia over Friday`s earthquake and tsunami in Central Sulawesi, which has the loss of many lives .

The death toll of the Friday`s Donggala-Palu earthquake and tsunami has risen to 1,203, the Team of Quick Action (ACT) earlier said here on Monday (1/10).

"Death victims reached 1,203 in a number of spots. The largest was in Petobo, which was swept and leveled to the ground by the tsunami," Vice President of ACT Insan Nurrohman said here on Monday.

There were 700 bodies in Kelurahan Petobo, 10 at Wirabuana Hospital, 201 at Undata Hospital, 50 in Mesjid Raya Mosque, 161 at Bhayangkara Hospital, 35 at the Tawaeli sub-district, 2 in the village of Kayumalue Pajeko, 5 in the village of Kawatuna, 7 Pos Pol PP, 32 at the Madani hospital.

Insan said the death toll is feared to increase as there were still many missing including 61 foreign nationals, and 540 seriously injured being treated at a number of hospitals.

He said 16,732 people were in evacuation camps in 123 locations in the city of Palu, districts of Donggala, Sigi and Parigi Moutong.

"Communications and electricity were cut off that reports of the impact of the earthquake and tsunami could not immediately sent out from Palu and Donggala, " Insan said, adding ACT kept coordination with the authorities in taking data of the victims.


Reporter: Antara
Editor: Yosep Hariyadi
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