Indonesians Search for the Dead After Tsunami

At least 256 people were killed after a tsunami smashed into fishing villages and resorts on Indonesia's Java island, following a strong undersea earthquake, a Red Cross official said on Tuesday.

At least four non-Indonesians were among the dead, 122 people were missing and 28,000 people were displaced, officials said.

No warnings were reported ahead of the waves despite regional efforts to establish early warning systems after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami that killed 230,000, including 170,000 in Indonesia.

But many residents and tourists recognized the signs and fled to higher ground as the sea receded before huge waves came crashing ashore.

from the NY Times