Devastating photos of the aftermath of the Indonesia quake-tsunami

MANILA, Philippines — The powerful earthquake and tsunami that hit Indonesia's central Sulawesi has claimed many victims as rescuers scrambled to reach the stricken region.

Partially covered bodies on the ground were found near the shore, the morning after tsunami waves 1.5 meters (five feet) high slammed into the city.

The tsunami was triggered by a strong quake that brought down several buildings and sent locals fleeing for higher ground as a churning wall of water crashed into Palu, home to around 350,000 people on the coast of Sulawesi island.

The shallow 7.5 magnitude tremor was more powerful than a series of quakes that killed hundreds on the Indonesian island of Lombok in July and August.

There was no official death toll, but the head of the country's search and rescue agency Muhammad Syaugi said that local staff had found a large number of dead. 

Below are photos of the aftermath of the earthquake-tsunami that hit Indonesia from Agence France-Press.

This photo shows bodies of victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Palu, on Sulawesi island on September 29, 2018. AFP/Ola Gondronk

People walk past dead bodies (blue cover) a day after an earthquake and a tsunami hit Palu, on Sulawesi island on September 29, 2018. AFP/Ola Gondronk

People look at the aftermath of the tsunami in Palu, on Sulawesi island on September 29, 2018. AFP/Ola Gondronk

People look at the aftermath of the tsunami in Palu, on Sulawesi island on September 29, 2018. AFP/Ola Gondronk

Residents make their way along a street full of debris after an earthquake and tsunami hit Palu, on Sulawesi island on September 29, 2018. AFP/Muhammad Rifki

Residents carry a victim after after an earthquake and a tsunami hit Palu, on Sulawesi island on September 29, 2018. AFP/Muhammad Rifki

Medical team members help patients outside a hospital after an earthquake and a tsunami hit Palu, on Sulawesi island on September 29, 2018. AFP/Muhammad Rifki

A woman cries as people look at the damages after an earthquake and a tsunami hit Palu, on Sulawesi island on September 29, 2018. AFP/Muhammad Rifki

Medical team members help patients outside a hospital after an earthquake and a tsunami hit Palu, on Sulawesi island on September 29, 2018. AFP/Muhammad Rifki

This handout photograph taken and released on September 28, 2018 by Indonesia's National Agency for Disaster Management (BNPB) shows a collapsed shopping mall in Palu, Central Sulawesi, after a strong earthquake hit the area. BNPB/AFP/Handout

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