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Indonesia

Flood, landslide kill 70 in Indonesia

JAKARTA, Jul 24, 2007 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- At least 70 people have died in Indonesia's Central Sulawesi province after floods and landslides buried hundreds of homes since Sunday, as relief supplies and emergency aid cannot reach the area in time, local press said Tuesday.

In two villages alone, 70 people were confirmed dead, but only 13 bodies have been recovered so far, reported Metro TV News.

"The affected villages are located in different islands. It takes six hours by boat to reach the worst-hit village from the nearest town of Morowali," the TV reporter said from the scene.

"Many survivors fled their homes and chose to stay on their boats for fear of another landslide," it was reported.

The local government has sent relief supplies including food, blankets and medicine but floods and giant waves disrupted the deliveries.