Mentawai Tsunami Kills 113

A TSUNAMI that pounded several islands in western Indonesia killed at least 113 people and scores more are missing.

A 7.7-magnitude earthquake triggered the three-metre wave that washed hundreds of homes into the sea yesterday.

Rescuers were having a hard time reaching the Mentawai islands, closest to the epicentre, yesterday because of strong winds and rough seas.

But reports of damage and injuries were steadily climbing.

Mujiharto, who heads the Health Ministry's crisis centre, said 113 bodies have been recovered so far. The number of missing was between 150 and 500.

Source: AP