More than 800 dead after earthquake hits Indonesia

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01:21

More than 800 people have been killed in an earthquake and tsunami that hit the Indonesian island of Sulawesi on Friday. It's feared the death toll could run into the thousands.

The six-meter-high tsunami smashed into Palu in Indonesia's central Sulawesi province. Many of those who perished were enjoying a beach festival, swept away in a tidal wave powerful enough to lift cars.

Indonesia's military sent cargo planes with medical teams and aid as authorities struggled with crippled communications and massive infrastructure destruction in a region that's home to nearly 2.5 million people.

An aerial view shows bridge damaged by an earthquake and tsunami in Palu, central Sulawesi, September 29, 2018. /VCG Photo

Authorities say the death toll will climb.

"Evacuation is still in process and identifying the deceased is also still in progress, and we estimate the number of accumulated casualties from both the quake and tsunami will increase further in Donggala and Palu," said Sutopo Purwo Nugroho of Indonesia's Mitigation and Disaster Agency.

Earthquakes and tsunamis are familiar in this region, sitting on the Pacific Basin's Ring of Fire. And strong aftershocks from the earthquake measuring 7.5 continued to hit the region throughout Saturday.

Indonesia's meteorological agency is now facing widespread criticism for not informing a tsunami that had hit Palu, having issued a warning after the quake but then lifting it just over half an hour later.