国际英语资讯:Death toll from Indonesia tsunami climbs to 373 as rescue efforts continue_时事

国际英语资讯:Death toll from Indonesia tsunami climbs to 373 as rescue efforts continue

The bodies were recovered by search teams from Banten's affected areas in Tanjung Lesung, Sumur, Panimbang, Labuan, Carita, Cinangka and Sangiang Island.

Unidentified bodies have been transferred to hospitals in Serang, the provincial captial of Banten, and in Pandeglang regency for further identification process.

Indonesian police headquarters spokesperson Pudjo Sulistyo said lack of identification card, finger print damage and supporting data, such as particular signature marks in the bodies were part of challenges faced by the Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) personnel in carrying out their jobs to quickly identify those victims.

Also on Monday, President Joko Widodo visited the affected area by helicopter and praised local authorities for swift action in responding to the latest disaster.

He told journalists that he has ordered the Social Ministry to give compensation to the families of the dead as quickly as possible.

He praised the army and police, along with local government officials, for their work in evacuating shorefront areas, which are still considered a danger zone.

National disaster agency spokesman Sutopo acknowledged on Twitter that the country's network of detection buoys had been dysfunctional since 2017, due to vandalism and budget shortfalls.

"The absence and failure of early tsunami warning systems have contributed to the huge casualties, because people have no opportunity to be evacuated," he said.