Death Toll Rises in Indonesian Quake, American Samoa

The Los Angeles Times reports that the death toll from back-to-back earthquakes in Indonesia is still climbing sharply. At least 777 people have been confirmed dead. "Let's be prepared for the worst," Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said in the capital, Jakarta, before boarding a flight for Padang, where powerful earthquakes hit on Wednesday and Thursday. Meanwhile, Baptist Press reports that North American Mission Board relief efforts in American Samoa have been delayed since the group's base on the islands was washed away. The islands suffered four devastating waves from an earthquake-induced tsunami. At least 100 people were killed by the 15 to 20 feet high waves. "We're looking at setting up the kitchen and a disaster response staging area at a school near Pago Pago," NAMB disaster relief coordinator Bruce Poss.