The two Australian surfers feared killed in the massive earthquake that struck Indonesia have been located.
The two Tracks magazine employees were feared to have been caught up in the earthquake which struck near Panang early this morning but Tracks online editor Col Bernasconi told ninemsn he had just received an email from the two men.
"The captain tells us they’re okay … the boat's sat-nav phone broke last night in rough seas," he said.
Bernasconi said the boat carrying the Aussie surfers was around eight hours from the mainland and escaped the worst of the earthquake.
"Luckily most boats were at sea … our attention is now fairly on the ground staff and their families in Padang," he said.
"No contact has been made with them — this is and the safety of the locals is now our main concern."
Surfing Australia chief executive Andrew Stark told news.com.au that fears were held for more Australian surfers at the popular holiday spot.
"The Mentawais Islands have the very best surfing waves on the planet — it’s the best surfing in the world," he was quoted as saying.
"There can be up to 35-40 boats in the water at any time, so we have big concerns that there will be Australian surfers that may have been coming in and out of Padang.
"Australians usually fly into Padang before heading out on surf charters, or staying in surf resorts … there will absolutely be Aussies caught up in the impact."
SurfAid, a not-for-profit organisation that works on health programs in the affected region has launched an appeal to help rebuild the shattered communities.
Program director Dr David Lange narrowly escaped death as he fled the Ambacang Hotel before it collapsed, killing many and trapping others.
"People are trapped and screaming for help but they are below huge slabs which will take heavy equipment to move," he said.
"I saw dozens of the biggest buildings collapsed in town … most of the damage is concentrated in the commercial centre market, which was fully packed."
SurfAid workers were directly impacted by the quake.
"Many buildings have been destroyed with people caught underneath the rubble," SurfAid spokesman Kirk Willcox said.
"There is a report that schoolchildren are still trapped underneath three schools.
"One hospital is destroyed and another so badly damaged that staff are working in tents outside.
"Doctors used car headlights and torches to operate on the injured overnight."
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