Death toll continues to rise after flash floods hit Indonesia’s Papua province

At least 79 people have been killed in flash floods that hit eastern Indonesia’s Papua province on March 16. 2019. Dozens of others are missing and authorities said the death toll is expected to rise as rescue efforts continue.

More than 4,000 people have been evacuated to schools and public buildings. Among those rescued was a five-month-old boy who was trapped under debris for hours before he was discovered and sent to hospital. However, his mother and siblings were found dead.

Indonesia is prone to natural disasters. In September 2018, more than 2,000 were killed by an earthquake and tsunami that struck the Indonesian island of Sulawesi.