Indonesia earthquake death toll rises to 279

The death toll from the powerful earthquake that struck Indonesia’s Sumatra Island continues to rise. As of Saturday, authorities confirmed 279 casualties, warning that the number may increase further. They reported recovering 31 bodies so far, while 174 people remain missing.

Nearly 28,400 displaced residents are taking shelter in temporary camps where relief supplies, food, water, and medical assistance are being distributed. Around 3,500 police personnel and rescue teams are involved in the search operations to locate the missing.

The quake caused massive destruction across Sumatra, damaging roads, cutting off communication networks, and collapsing thousands of homes and buildings. Overflowing rivers swept away several villages in hill regions. In West Sumatra’s Agam district alone, nearly 80 people from three villages are still unaccounted for.