National Disaster Agency confirmed at least 384 people had been killed, at least 540 have been injured, and 29 are listed as missing but the number is expected to rise after a tsunami triggered by a magnitude 7.5 earthquake hit Donggala region in Sulawesi province of Indonesia on Friday. The earthquake hit just off central Sulawesi at a depth of 10km just on Friday, the US Geological Survey said.

The tsunami waves that hit the cities of Donggala and Paulo reached up to 3 meters and many buildings in the region were destroyed. A tsunami warning was issued but reportedly lifted within the hour.

The death toll could climb in the coming days, National Disaster Management Agency [BNPB] spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho warned. Tens to hundreds of people were taking part in a beach festival in Palu when the tsunami, which was triggered by a magnitude 7.7 earthquake, struck at dusk on Friday, their fate was unknown Nugroho said.

"We got a report over the phone saying that there was a guy who climbed a tree up to 6 meters high," he added.

Nugroho said a search and rescue team of 400 people in the region is working, added that they have problems in communication due to the cut-off electricity and internet lines in the region.

ILKHA