Hundreds of people swarm an Indonesian state-owned petrol station in the quake-and-tsunami-struck city of Palu, where some would-be customers wait for more than a day to top up the tank.

"I've been here since yesterday, about 26 hours," says Pordawati Pakamundi, as she eyes her goal still several metres away.

"I think I've got around two or three more hours left."

The 56-year-old's aim is to buy five litres (1.3 gallons) of petrol from the Pertamina gas station for her motorbike.

"I've got a motorbike but no petrol," she said. "You can't get water (without a vehicle). You can't cook rice without water."

Along the forecourt floor, a meandering Domino line of jerrycans, water bottles and random containers -- each linked together by twine -- weaves back-and-forth and then across two adjacent car parks.&nbsp;

Each of the 710 vessels is numbered, and at the pump dozens of people had gathered two or three deep to see the conga line of containers filled in turn.&nbsp;

But several police armed with semi-automatic rifles and body armour are a pointed reminder of the tensions and growing desperation in this shattered city of 350,000 on Indonesia's Sulawesi island.

For Palu residents, petrol is a gateway. Without it the hunt for food or water or whatever other essentials are in scarce supply becomes exponentially more difficult.

"This is so I can search for supplies on the motorbike because getting supplies around here is tough," said Bilhan Mow.

"I'm buying one litre and one jerry can -- five litres in total. That's the rule here."

He's frustrated with waiting, but the options are limited.

"There is very little petrol left in my motorbike, it's at an emergency level, even if I go home, I wouldn’t make it, the engine will stop on the way and I would have to push," he says.

"So better for me to wait here for the gas."

Some residents elsewhere in the city have not been so patient, turning to looting in their bid to survive.

So precious is fuel that convoys of petrol tankers get an escort -- &nbsp;an armed police officer in the passenger seat of each tanker and a truck bulging with armed officers at both the nose and tail of the motorcade

Hundreds of people swarm an Indonesian state-owned petrol station in the quake-and-tsunami-struck city of Palu, where some would-be customers wait for more than a day to top up the tank.

Hundreds of people swarm an Indonesian state-owned petrol station in the quake-and-tsunami-struck city of Palu, where some would-be customers wait for more than a day to top up the tank. "I've been here since yesterday, about 26 hours," says Pordawati Pakamundi, as she eyes her goal still several metres away. "I think I've got around two or three more hours left." The 56-year-old's aim is to buy five litres (1.3 gallons) of petrol from the Pertamina gas station for her motorbike. "I've got a motorbike but no petrol," she said. "You can't get water (without a vehicle). You can't cook rice without water." Along the forecourt floor, a meandering Domino line of jerrycans, water bottles and random containers -- each linked together by twine -- weaves back-and-forth and then across two adjacent car parks. Each of the 710 vessels is numbered, and at the pump dozens of people had gathered two or three deep to see the conga line of containers filled in turn. But several police armed with semi-automatic rifles and body armour are a pointed reminder of the tensions and growing desperation in this shattered city of 350,000 on Indonesia's Sulawesi island. For Palu residents, petrol is a gateway. Without it the hunt for food or water or whatever other essentials are in scarce supply becomes exponentially more difficult. "This is so I can search for supplies on the motorbike because getting supplies around here is tough," said Bilhan Mow. "I'm buying one litre and one jerry can -- five litres in total. That's the rule here." He's frustrated with waiting, but the options are limited. "There is very little petrol left in my motorbike, it's at an emergency level, even if I go home, I wouldn’t make it, the engine will stop on the way and I would have to push," he says. "So better for me to wait here for the gas." Some residents elsewhere in the city have not been so patient, turning to looting in their bid to survive. So precious is fuel that convoys of petrol tankers get an escort -- an armed police officer in the passenger seat of each tanker and a truck bulging with armed officers at both the nose and tail of the motorcade

Day-long waits, frustration mark Indonesians' petrol quest

Rescue operations were hampered in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/indonesian-president-joko-widodo-visits-worst-hit-areas-earthquake-and-tsunami-168657">earthquake-hit Sulawesi island in Indonesia</a> as several hundred were still feared trapped in rubble after a massive 7.5 magnitude earthquake followed by tsunami devasted homes and families on Friday night.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/factbox-earthquakes-and-tsunamis-indonesia-168479">Factbox: Earthquakes and tsunamis in Indonesia</a>

The confirmed death toll stands at 844, rescue operators said even as medical team and disaster teams continued to reach areas hit by the massive tsunami with&nbsp;a 14-day state of emergency already announced.

The United Nations estimates that at least 191,000 people need urgent help after the earthquake.

Dozens of people were reported to be trapped in the debris of several hotels and a mall in Palu, near Jakarta. Reports said communications is still cut off in Donggala in Sulawesi which is close to the epicentre where rescuers still haven't reached. The island is home to at least 300,000 people. Sulawesi is known to be an earthquake-prone area.

Most of the deaths have&nbsp;been reported in Palu. Authorities fear the&nbsp;toll may&nbsp;rise&nbsp;further.

The disaster agency said more heavy equipment and personnel were needed to recover bodies. The earthquake has displaced at least 48,000 people, reports said with rescuers still unable to reach remote areas affected by the quake.

President Joko Widodo has requested for international help due to the scale of the disaster. The president said the government will ensure improvement to damaged facilities, heavy equipment delivery, fuel supply and better communication.

"This is indeed an emergency situation, same as in Lombok, there will be stages, moments, one or two days it will feel tough, really tough here. The road to the location is mostly cut off, even the airport is not running functionally," the president said.

Indonesia which is situated in the area called the "Ring of Fire" prone to earthquake. The 2004 tsunami was triggered in Indonesia which killed at least 220,00 people.

 
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Rescue operations were hampered in earthquake-hit Sulawesi island in Indonesia as several hundred were still feared trapped in rubble after a massive 7.5 magnitude earthquake followed by tsunami devasted homes and families on Friday night.

Rescue operations were hampered in earthquake-hit Sulawesi island in Indonesia as several hundred were still feared trapped in rubble after a massive 7.5 magnitude earthquake followed by tsunami devasted homes and families on Friday night. Factbox: Earthquakes and tsunamis in Indonesia The confirmed death toll stands at 844, rescue operators said even as medical team and disaster teams continued to reach areas hit by the massive tsunami with a 14-day state of emergency already announced. The United Nations estimates that at least 191,000 people need urgent help after the earthquake. Dozens of people were reported to be trapped in the debris of several hotels and a mall in Palu, near Jakarta. Reports said communications is still cut off in Donggala in Sulawesi which is close to the epicentre where rescuers still haven't reached. The island is home to at least 300,000 people. Sulawesi is known to be an earthquake-prone area. Most of the deaths have been reported in Palu. Authorities fear the toll may rise further. The disaster agency said more heavy equipment and personnel were needed to recover bodies. The earthquake has displaced at least 48,000 people, reports said with rescuers still unable to reach remote areas affected by the quake. President Joko Widodo has requested for international help due to the scale of the disaster. The president said the government will ensure improvement to damaged facilities, heavy equipment delivery, fuel supply and better communication. "This is indeed an emergency situation, same as in Lombok, there will be stages, moments, one or two days it will feel tough, really tough here. The road to the location is mostly cut off, even the airport is not running functionally," the president said. Indonesia which is situated in the area called the "Ring of Fire" prone to earthquake. The 2004 tsunami was triggered in Indonesia which killed at least 220,00 people.

Indonesia tsunami death toll rises as rescue operators scramble to reach quake-hit areas

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