Torrential monsoon rains prevent rescuers from digging through the rubble in search of survivors on the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia, hit the night between Thursday and Friday by a 6.2 magnitude earthquake which so far, according to a completely provisional toll, has made at least 73 confirmed deaths and thousands of displaced persons.
On the spot, and in particular in the devastated seaside town of Mamuju of 110,000 inhabitants, cranes and excavators are deployed.
The rubble includes many concrete buildings, including a hospital.
There is also a police unit with search dogs.
"Rain constitutes a risk because damaged buildings can collapse if it becomes too heavy - explains Octavianto, one of the rescuers - adding to the effects of the aftershocks". At the same time, "removing the rubble too quickly with heavy machinery could kill any survivors still buried under there," adds Octavianto, adding that the people found so far were dead.