Indonesia's president promises to rebuild city hit by earthquake as death toll reaches 90

Indonesian President Joko Widodo walks during a visit inspecting the area affected by the earthquake in Mamuju, West Sulawesi province, Indonesia, January 19, 2021. Courtesy of Indonesia's Presidential Palace/Handout via REUTERS

Indonesia will rebuild homes and buildings ravaged by a powerful earthquake that struck Sulawesi island last week, President Joko Widodo said on Tuesday, as the death toll reached 90 and thousands more people were displaced.

The 6.2-magnitude earthquake caused significant damage to hundreds of homes, a mall, hospital, hotels and government buildings early on Friday and has been followed by more than 39 aftershocks since.

"Soon the central government will rebuild, then for collapsed houses, the government will help for those that were heavily damaged," Widodo said as he visited the city of Mamuju earlier on Tuesday.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo distributes food assisance and free masks to the displaced people affected by the earthquake at a temporary shelter in Mamuju, West Sulawesi province, Indonesia, January 19, 2021. Akbar Tado/Antara Foto via REUTERS

The Indonesian government will give as much as 50 million rupiah ($3,558.72) for the rebuilding of "heavily damaged" houses, while houses with "medium" and "minor" damages will given up to 25 million rupiah and 10 million rupiah respectively.

"We hope that with the help of the central government, the recovery of collapsed houses, economic recovery, recovery of service processes in government and the bureaucracy will also return to normal," he said.

Earlier on Tuesday, a military official who is part of the country's official search and rescue joint forces, said that nearly 10,000 people have been evacuated from Mamuju and the nearby city, Majene.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo talks with an official during a visit inspecting the area affected by the earthquake in Mamuju, West Sulawesi province, Indonesia, January 19, 2021. Courtesy of Indonesia's Presidential Palace/Handout via REUTERS

Many of them have fled to Parepare, a neighbouring city more than 250km south of Mamuju and nearly 150km from Majene, the official said.

Straddling the Pacific "Ring of Fire," Indonesia is regularly hit by earthquakes. In 2018, a 7.5-magnitude quake and subsequent tsunami struck Palu, in Sulawesi, killing thousands.

The country’s meteorology agency has warned of continued aftershocks, and the risk of extreme weather in coming weeks.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo walks as he inspects the temporary shelters for displaced people affected by the earthquake at Manakarra stadium in Mamuju, West Sulawesi province, Indonesia, January 19, 2021. Akbar Tado/Antara Foto via REUTERS

Indonesia has faced a string of disasters this month, including a plane crash on Jan. 9 that killed all 62 on board, a flash flood in South Kalimantan on Borneo island that killed at least 15, volcanic eruptions and a deadly landslide that killed 40 in Java.

($1 = 14,050.0000 rupiah)

(Reporting by Heru Asprihanto, Stanley Widianto; Writing by Fathin Ungku; Editing by Bernadette Baum)