国际英语新闻:Indonesian president calls for relief measures after strong quakes hit C. Sulawesi province

JAKARTA, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian President Joko Widodo said on Friday evening that the government is ready to take measures in response to the earthquakes that hit Central Sulawesi province earlier in the day.

At least one person was confirmed dead and 10 others injured after a series of strong quakes hit the central part of the country on Friday afternoon.

A tsunami triggered by the quakes struck off the coastal areas near Talisa beach of Dongala district of Sulawesi later in the day, leaving at least five people missing and scores of houses destroyed.

"I am monitoring it, preparing related government institutions to face and handle all possible aftermath of the earthquakes," the president said in his official twitter account.

He called on people in the country to pray for the safety of those in the affected areas.

The province's city of Palu and Dongala were jolted by several powerful earthquakes measured at 6.0, 7.4 and 6.1 magnitude respectively, followed by minor aftershocks.

A tsunami occurred later in the province's coastal capital city of Palu in late afternoon. Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency said the tsunami has swept Palu coastal areas at a height of up to 3 meters.

Indonesia's National Disaster Mitigation Agency Spokesperson Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said the tsunami cut off communication to the affected areas.

Scores of houses were reportedly damaged from the quakes.