ID :
500571
Mon, 08/06/2018 - 14:25
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https://oananews.org//node/500571
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Lombok Quake: Death Toll Reaches 91, Thousands Of Homes Destroyed
By Mohd Shukri Ishak
JAKARTA, Aug 6 (Bernama) -- The death toll from a 7.0 magnitude earthquake that hit Indonesia's tourist island of Lombok has reached 91 so far with thousands of homes and buildings destroyed.
However, the number is expected to continue rising as the search and rescue operations are ongoing.
According to Indonesian National Agency for Disaster Management (BNPB), the areas that were badly affected by the earthquake were in North Lombok, East Lombok and Kota Mataram.
BNPB Head of Information Data and Public Relations Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said as of 10 am Monday, all the deceased had been identified as Indonesian nationals, with 72 of them were killed in North Lombok.
“Most of them were crushed under collapsed buildings and houses, over 200 others were reportedly injured and currently receiving medical attention in open fields or outside a clinic or health centre for fear of possible stronger quake,” he said.
According to the Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), a total of 124 aftershocks with smaller intensity were recorded from last night until 6 am Monday.
The 7.0 magnitude earthquake which hit in North Lombok at 6.46 pm Sunday also rocked the entire island and was also felt in Sumbawa Island, Bali and East Java.
On July 29, a 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck the island and claimed the lives of 17 people including a Malaysian climber Siti Nur Ismawida Ismail.
Sutopo Purwo said among the urgent needs in Lombok right now were medical teams, clean water, food and blankets.
Indonesian president Joko Widodo was reported by Antara news agency as having called for an integrated search and rescue operations to be launched immediately by the defence forces, police and other relevant agencies.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Embassy in Indonesia in a statement today said the embassy had, as of 10.30 am, identified 161 Malaysians at several locations in Lombok and that all of them were safe.
“Right now, the Indonesian authorities are coordinating the search and rescue operations for the victims. In this regard, the embassy is working closely with the relevant agencies to move the Malaysian nationals to a safer ground,” the statement said.
The embassy also advised all Malaysian nationals in Lombok to stay clam and to follow the instructions given by the local authorities.
“It is also hoped that those who are already at the Lombok International Airport and Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali will be patient as congestion is expected there. The airlines will help to reschedule their flight out of Lombok,” the statement said.
Those who need consular assistance can contact phone number +62215224947 and WhatsApp at +62 81380813036 or email to mwjakarta@kln.gov.my /jkonsular@gmail.com
-- BERNAMA