Death toll from Indonesia's tsunami jumps to 1,234

SULAWESI, Oct 02 (Reuters): The confirmed death toll from an earthquake and tsunami on Indonesia's Sulawesi island has risen to 1,234, from 844, the national disaster mitigation agency said on Tuesday.

A 7.5 magnitude earthquake on Friday triggered tsunami waves as high as six metres (20 feet), which swept ashore at the small city of Palu, on the west coast of Sulawesi.

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

An AFP report adds: Indonesia's military has taken the lead in the recovery effort, flying in supplies and evacuating survivors on C130 Hercules transport planes. Among those evacuated are 122 foreigners, including 30 from Thailand and 20 from Germany.

In total the government has deployed 3,169 military personnel as well as 2,033 police officers.

Increasingly they are being called on to keep the peace, with looting leading to at least 45 arrests.