VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), Wilem Rampangilei, said the number of deaths from the earthquake that struck Central Sulawesi on Friday evening had risen to 420.

"This is the number recorded in Palu only. It has not covered Donggala and Sigi districts," he noted, replying to Antara on Saturday evening.

The destruction caused by the quake in Donggala and Sigi has been very significant, but no reports about its degree and victims have been received yet, due to disruptions in communications, he said.

In view of the situation, the Special Task Force`s main priority would be searching, saving and assisting the victims, he said, adding "Until tonight, there have been 10,000 evacuees housed in 50 locations in the city of Palu. They will be given shelter, food and medicines."
Some of the dead who had been kept in hospitals have been taken by their families, Wilem said, but the number of the dead could still increase, as search efforts have not yet covered all buildings, such as large hotels, shop houses, warehouses and other buildings.
"We have difficulties deploying heavy equipment, as many access roads to Palu have been severely damaged," he said.

Wilem noted that thousands of boxes of ready-to-eat foods have to be brought in from Surabaya, East Java.

He also said the military (TNI) had sent paramedics and medical supplies, including a hospital ship, which is expected to arrive in one to two days.(antara)

Indonesian shooting athlete, Muhammad Sejahtera “Tera” Dwi Putra, presented the first shooting medal for the country after winning the silver medal in the men’s 10-meter running target mixed competition at Jakabaring Sport City, Palembang, Saturday (25/8).

Tera’s victory finally ended Indonesia’s shooting medal drought in the last six days of the Asian Games shooting competition.

In the final round, Tera collected 380 points, four points fewer than gold medalist Pak Myong-won from DPR Korea. The bronze medal went to China’s Yu Gan with 379 points.

Tera’s silver-winning performance was quite a feat considering that Tera was competing against Pak Myong-won, a world-class shooter and 2010 Asiad gold medalist.

Tera collected 190 points each in the first and second stages, bringing the total score to 380. Pak Myong-won, meanwhile, triumped with 192 collected in each of the two rounds.

Tera said he was grateful to finally win silver in the mixed category after he failed to reach the final round of the men’s 10-meter running target competition.

"Alhamdullilah (Thank God), I performed better today," said the 21-year-old shooter.

Indonesia shooting coach, Masruri, said he was satisfied with Tera’s result.

"[Tera’s] score in this match was only 2 or 3 points below the score he gained in the national training camp, which is still okay,” the coach said.(antara)

Indonesia's rowing team grabbed the gold medal in the men's eight lightweight final at the Jakabaring Sport City in Palembang, South Sumatra, on Friday. The Indonesia men's rowing team finished first in the 2,000-meter race in 6 minutes and 08.88 seconds. The Uzbekistan team, which clocked 6 minutes and 12.40 seconds, had to settle for the silver medal. Hong Kong, China, won the bronze medal with a time of 6 minutes 14.46 seconds (antara)