Lombok earthquake – 10 people now confirmed dead, over 40 injured
PHOTO: Indonesian Search And Rescue Agency
10 people are now confirmed dead with 40 or more injured following this morning’s strong Lombok earthquake. Lombok is an Indonesian island, next door to Bali, although the epicentre of the quake wasn’t near the tourist areas.
The tremor is said to have sent people running from their homes in panic. The initial 6.4 magnitude quake was was followed up by two secondary quakes and many aftershocks. Houses and public roads have been damaged by the quake.
The death toll is expected to rise.
Popular hiking trails on the remote Mount Rinjani have been closed because of the potential for landslides.
The United States Geological Survey says two of the aftershocks measured more than 5-magnitude.
Indonesia, an archipelago of thousands of islands, sits on the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, a seismic activity hotspot.
SOURCES: The Nation, United States Geological Survey, AFP
