Earthquake hits Indonesia islands- 91 killed

At least 91 people were killed and 200 were “severely”injured as a 6.9-magnitude earthquake hit the Indonesian resort islands of Lombok and Bali, on Sunday night on 5.8.2018. The death toll is expected to rise. All the dead are believed to be Indonesians and the major tragedy was in the Lombok islands.

Second quake in a week

More than a 100 aftershocks were recorded after the major quake, including one of 5.3 intensity at 6.30 am Indian time today, 6.8.2018. Last week, at least 17 people were killed in Lombok in an earthquake. The Indonesian archipelago is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area of intense seismic and volcanic activity.

The country’s Tsunami Early Warning System had issued a tsunami warning after the main quake but it was lifted several hours later, said the country’s National Disaster Management Agency. The Indonesian Red Cross which is spearheading the rescue work, has reported that four of its volunteers were injured in the earthquake. Many foreign tourists were evacuated from the islands and hundreds of people taken to the overcrowded hospitals.

Thousands of people were left homeless after the quake which destroyed their homes and the country is gearing up to handle the national disaster.