Several Americans Safely Evacuated Quake-Hit Indonesia, No Known US Victims- State Dept

WASHINGTON (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 03rd October, 2018) Several Americans were evacuated from Indonesia after a deadly earthquake and tsunami, but no US citizens were among the victims of the disaster on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert said during a press briefing on Tuesday.

"Several US citizens have been safely evacuated. There have been no reports of US citizens who have been killed or injured," Nauert said.

Nauert also said that the United States' thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of the earthquake and tsunami.

"We have provided an initial tranche of funding and deployed USAID disaster experts to conduct damage assessments, identify priority needs and coordinate US response efforts with the government of Indonesia," the spokesperson added. "We are working with USAID and our counterparts at other government agencies to determine what additional help the United Stated government can provide."

On Friday, a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake hit Sulawesi, causing a 2-meter-high (6.5-foot-high) tsunami to strike the city of Palu and the Donggala area in Central Sulawesi. According to the latest media reports, the disaster has claimed over 1,200 lives.

The global community has actively responded with offers of support to Indonesia, with South Korea allocating $1 million in humanitarian assistance. French, US and Turkish leaders also voiced their willingness to help, while the United Nations mobilized its rescue and relief efforts. The International Monetary Fund has pledged to raise funds among its management and staff.