On the 15th, CNN reported that the number of deaths related to the earthquake in western Sulawesi, Indonesia, increased to 67, citing international aid organizations.
Jan Gelpand, head of the Indonesian branch of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Society (IFRC), said, "At least 67 people were believed to have died in the earthquake that struck Sulawesi."
Immediately after the earthquake, the number of deaths was reported to be three, but the number of victims continues to increase as the damage situation is counted.
Foreign media such as AFP reported that 42 people had died by the afternoon of the previous day, citing local disaster authorities.
Disaster authorities believe that many are still trapped under several buildings that collapsed in the earthquake.
"The number of dead and missing is likely to increase," said Gelpand.
Authorities are mobilizing rescuers and equipment to search the debris and search for survivors.
However, it is known that there is a difficulty in rescue work due to the earthquake impact disconnecting communication networks and roads and lack of heavy equipment.