New Zealand Defence Force Evacuates 120 Survivors of Central Sulawesi Earthquake and Tsunami

The New Zealand Defence Force transported 120 survivors of the magnitude 7.5 earthquake and tsunami that devastated Indonesia’s Central Sulawesi province from Palu to Balikpapan, the port city in East Kalimantan province, on Friday, October 5. The survivors, many of whom had slept outdoors since the disaster hit a week ago, on September 28, were transported on board the New Zealand Air Force’s C-130 Hercules aircraft. “There was a palpable sense of relief from the evacuees when they got into our Herc,” Flight Lieutenant Dave Natapu said. “They erupted in cheers and gave a thumbs-up sign before we took off.” The Hercules was one of the first foreign aircraft to deliver aid to Palu, Radio NZ reported. By October 5, one week after the disaster hit Palu and nearby districts of Donggala, Sigi and Parigi Moutong, a total of 1,571 people were confirmed to have died, while more than 2,500 others were severely injured. Credit: Royal New Zealand Air Force via Storyful

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