Indonesia Tsunami: Search and rescue continues as death toll climbs to 429

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02:04

We begin in western Indonesia, which is still reeling from Saturday's massive tsunami which killed more than 400 people. The search for the missing continues, while thousands of people have been left homeless. CGTN's Martin Lowe brings us this report now from one of the disaster areas.

With their bare hands they're searching for two young women – but they know the chances of them being alive are beyond slim. This was a beachfront bar. The body of the owner – a woman aged about 35 – has just been removed from the smashed and shattered debris. The owner's two assistants are still unaccounted for. Those searching are sure they're here but so far there's been no sign.

HENDRA MANALU RESCUE WORKER "I've been here since day one. Everyone is devastated, people are looking for family members, trying to collect lost belongings and seeing what's left of their homes."

This hotel owner said guests were watching the volcano erupt in the night sky, unaware of the deadly catastrophe to follow.

TOMMY MANANGKA HOTEL OWNER "The fire from the volcano was much higher than usual. The first wave wasn't very tall and we cheered. The second wave was bigger and flooded the terrace. Twenty seconds later came the highest wave and people were swept away."

MARTIN LOWE WEST JAVA, INDONESIA "The destruction just goes on and on. We've been driving in a car and all around this area is devastation. Wooden homes smashed to splinters, roofs torn off, personal possessions scattered all around."

At this hotel thirty bodies have been found. Cars were thrown against trees, metal supports for the guest bungalows now a tangled mess. Back at the bar, they've had no success. Frustrated, the rescuers move on to more urgent situations.

Martin Lowe, CGTN, West Java, Indonesia.