Second earthquake rips through Lombok, evacuation efforts underway

An earthquake measuring seven on the richter scale hit Lombok yesterday, killing at least 82 people leaving 100 injured, a week after a 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck the island.

The earthquake, which was followed by more than 80 aftershocks, was also felt in Bali, Flores, and even parts of East Java. The worst affected areas were North Lombok, East Lombok and Mataram City.

Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesman for Indonesia’s disaster mitigation agency, said the casualty count is expected to continue increasing, adding that the extent of damage caused is still being determined.

Dwikorita Karnawati, head of Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency, said: “We are also observing the sea level on the beach. Based on the data, the earthquake triggered a tsunami in four locations, Carik Village, North Lombok and Badas Village, North Sumba beach, Lembar Village on the Southwest Lombok beach, and Benoa Village.

“Although the tsunamis were less than half a meter high, (we) must (issue) an early warning because… amplification can occur (depending on) on the topography of the coast,” explained Dwikorita.

The tsunami warning has since been lifted.

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