500 quake victims remain in camps

500 quake victims remain in camps

PALU, Central Sulawesi: More than 500 people, made homeless after an earthquake on Sunday jolted Tojo subdistrict and other areas in the violence-hit regency of Poso, Central Sulawesi, are being housed in makeshift tents.

Head of the local emergency task force Abdul Kadir Sidik said on Tuesday the refugees were not able to return home because their houses had been badly damaged.

However, he added at least 672 refugees had already returned home.

Sidik said that although the victims had received enough food from the provincial administration, they were still awaiting medical treatment.

"Relief teams from the Ministry of Social Affairs are due to arrive at the affected areas by the end of the week to assess the damage caused by the quake," he said.

The quake, measuring 5.9 on the Richter Scale, rocked south eastern Poso on Sunday.

No casualties were reported, but the disaster damaged hundreds of houses.--Antara