INDONESIA TSUNAMI

  BY IRIS BLASCO - ADM 3

INDONESIA TSUNAMI: DEATH TOLL RISES TO NEARLY 1,350

THE 7.5-MAGNITUDE QUAKE STRUCK JUST OFF THE CENTRAL ISLAND OF SULAWESI, SETTING OFF A TSUNAMI THAT ENGULFED THE COASTAL CITY OF PALU.

AS TENSIONS AND NEED RUN HIGH, POLICE HAVE BEGUN GUARDING SHOPS AGAINST LOOTERS.

THE BBC'S JONATHAN HEAD IN PALU SAW POLICE FIRING WARNING SHOTS AND TEAR GAS ON TUESDAY AS PEOPLE TRIED TO TAKE SUPPLIES FROM ONE SHOP.

"AFTER DAY TWO THE FOOD SUPPLY STARTED TO COME IN, IT ONLY NEEDED TO BE DISTRIBUTED," HE SAID. "WE ARE NOW RE-ENFORCING THE LAW."

§   A TOWN SMASHED TO PULP IN MINUTES

§   AERIAL SHOTS OF DEBRIS AND SURVIVAL AFTER TSUNAMI

HUMANITARIAN RELIEF CONVOYS ENTERING THE CITY ARE ALSO BEING ESCORTED BY SOLDIERS AND POLICE.

IN A SEPARATE INCIDENT, A VOLCANO BEGAN ERUPTING ON THE SAME ISLAND, SULAWESI, ON WEDNESDAY.

MOUNT SOPUTAN IS ABOUT 1,000KM (600 MILES) AWAY FROM PALU, AND IT WAS NOT IMMEDIATELY SEEN AS A THREAT TO THE AID OPERATION.

EVERYONE WANTS TO GET OUT. MOST CAN'T AND ARE HAVING TO ENDURE ANOTHER DAY WITHOUT POWER AND LIMITED DRINKING WATER. IN THE TOWN SQUARE PEOPLE PATIENTLY WAIT IN LINE TO REFILL WATER BOTTLES.

THOSE THAT CAN MAKE IT HERE RECEIVE TWO MEALS A DAY, FROM A COMMUNITY KITCHEN RUN BY VOLUNTEERS AND GALLON OF WATER TO BATHE IN.