Another 5000 missing after devastating tsunami

palu - The death toll as a result of the earthquake and tsunami on Sulawesi has risen from 1558 to 1763. According to the emergency response service there is fear that there are still more than 5000 missing persons.

The service reported that the search for missing people will be stopped next Thursday. The earthquake in the northwest of Sulawesi caused a meter-high tidal wave.

The damage is enormous after the quake of 7.5 on the Richter scale. In the badly hit city of Palu, some repair work has already been carried out. The electricity works again in many places and a number of shops and banks have also reopened the doors.

Eleven countries, including Australia, Great Britain and the United States, have sent helicopter aircraft to the disaster area.