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Hundreds missing in Indonesian floods

Search and rescue operations are underway in Indonesia for hundreds of people missing following floods and landslides on the remote island of Nias, off the north western coast of Sumatra.

Mark Bowling reports at least 60 people have died after two days of heavy rain on the island, best known as a popular surfing haven.

Police on Nias say about 850 people are missing and there are fears the death toll could rise rapidly. Transport and communications on the island are poor, making rescue efforts difficult. As well as about 600 villages scattered across the rugged island, tourists flock to several isolated resorts which are close to internationally renowned surfing spots. The operator of one tour company says there are about 60 surfers currently on the island, many of them Australians. But the worst hit areas of flooding are not usually visited by tourists.

2/08/01 2:52:07 | ABC Radio Australia News

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