Villagers Sulawesi saved by previous shock

The lives of many villagers in Central Sulawesi have been spared because the residents were terrified by a smaller earthquake three hours before the devastating earthquake of over a week ago.

Many villages in the coastal strip north of the ruined city of Palu were days inaccessible due to landslides. Many residents escaped death because they had left their home after a previous quake with a force of 6.1 that preceded the heavier quake of 7.5.