Reports from Indonesia say two people have been killed and 160 people are missing after a localised tsunami triggered by Monday’s powerful earthquake off the coast of Sumatra.
Dozens of houses were destroyed by waves after the 7.5 magnitude quake, which struck near the Mentawai islands.
Australian officials say they are trying to contact a group of 10 surfers sailing in the area at the time.
Another group of Australians said their boat was destroyed by a wall of water.
Captain Rick Hallet told Australian media that his boat was anchored off Pagai Island in the Menatawis when the waves came.
“We felt a bit of a shake underneath the boat… then within several minutes we heard an almighty roar,” he said.
“I immediately thought of a tsunami and looked out to sea and that’s when we saw the wall of white water coming at us,” he said.
The wave brought another boat crashing into them and sparked a fire, forcing them to jump into the sea.
Some of those on board were swept up to 200m inland by the wave, he said.
The head of Indonesia’s Health Ministry crisis centre, Mudjiharto, said at least two people had been killed.
“Two dead bodies have been found in Sipora island. Several people are still missing in Bosua village and we are searching for them,” the official – who goes by one name – said.
He said 80% of the buildings in one village had been destroyed.
At least 160 people, mostly women and children, are missing in the coastal village of Betu Monga, officials said.
The group of missing Australians were on a surfing charter boat in the area affected by the earthquake.
Poor telephone coverage of the area was hampering efforts to contact them, Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs said.
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