The Head of Data Information Center and Public Relations of National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said on Tuesday (2/10), until13.00 Western Indonesia Time,120 foreign tourists have been evacuated due to the earthquake and tsunami in Palu, Donggala, Central Sulawesi. In a press conference in Jakarta on Tuesday (2/10), Sutopo admitted that there are two more foreign tourists still missing. They are from South Korea and Belgium.
“We have coordinated with the Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry, there are 122 foreign tourists have to be evacuated from Palu and Donggala. 120 of them has been identified, while other two foreigners, from South Korea andBelgium are still missing,” said Sutopo.
Furthermore Sutopo Purwonugroho said that a South Koreancitizen is still missing. He might be trapped in the ruins of Road Roa Hotel, Palu. Meanwhile a Belgian citizen cannot be contacted. According to Sutopo the evacuation process of the foreign touristsis coordinated by foreign affairs ministry in cooperation with BNPB, Indonesian military, Indonesian Police, National Search and Rescue Agency and other ministries.Sutopo added that foreign tourists must be priority to be evacuated by Hercules Helicopter from Palu to Jakarta or Makassar, South Sulawesi. (VOI/Rezha/Trs.NK/AHM)