Death toll in Indonesia earthquake rises to 1,234

Rescuers have yet to reach many affected areas leading to fears the death toll could rise again.

The situation for those still alive has grown increasingly dire as families scrambled to get even the most basic of goods.

This is because the roads to Palu, a city of 350,000 people remain blocked and aid has been slow to trickle in.

An official from the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent described the situation on the ground as “nightmarish.”

Bodies of victims remain unburied on the side of the roads.

In a public cemetery on the outskirts of the city, workers are digging a mass grave the size of a football pitch to try to bury as many bodies as quickly as possible before disease begins to spread.

Palates of supplies are en route to the affected area courtesy of organisations like the Red Cross, who sent seven tons of logistical supplies from Jakarta on Tuesday.

Countries from around the world have begun to announce aid packages for Indonesia as well.

Australia, one of the country’s closest neighbours, said it had already provided $500,000 (Ksh.50million) of support immediately through the Indonesian Red Cross.