Indonesia quake: 34 bodies discovered inside church

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Indonesia quake: 34 bodies discovered inside church
Indonesia quake: 34 bodies discovered inside church

The bodies of dozens of students killed when a landslide hit a church have been found in the aftermath of the Indonesian earthquake.

After a 90-minute trek through mud, rescuers recovered 34 bodies from a Bible camp in mountainous Sigi Biromaru district.

More than 840 people have died after Friday’s quake and tsunami, according to official figures, but the actual number is believed to be far higher – possibly in the thousands.

Indonesian authorities are scrambling to find survivors and provide shelter, food and water to those who have lost everything.

Meanwhile, four more earthquakes between 5.0 and 6.0 magnitude hit Indonesia late on Monday night, said the US Geological Survey.

The tremors were recorded near Sumba island – hundreds of miles south of Sulawesi, where Friday’s quake struck.

There are no details so far on any damage or casualties.

Mass burials have begun on Sulawesi for the victims recovered so far – nearly all of them found in the city of Palu.

But there are fears many more are buried in mud and trapped under buildings in remote areas that have not yet been accessed.

Blocked roads, damaged bridges and a lack of heavy machinery have held back the rescue effort.

According to UN estimates, around 191,000 people are now in urgent need of help after the quake and tsunami wave – which measured up to 6m (20ft).

Survivors say that supplies are not getting through and that they have been forced to loot from shops.

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