No Vietnamese reported to be present in quake-hit Lombok island

Jakarta (VNA) – The Vietnamese Embassy in Indonesia said that there was no information on any Vietnamese national present at the site in Indonesia’s tourist island of Lombok which was struck by a 7-magnitude earthquake on August 5.

It was reflected that three Vietnamese who are on holiday on the nearby Bali resort island, experienced emotional impact when their hotels were affected by aftershocks.

The embassy has ordered Vietnamese citizens to join hands with service providers to handle the situation, and keep a close watch on the incident’s developments. They are advised to do what directed by local authorities in the host nation.

In case of emergency, it is recommended to contact the embassy's hot lines: +62811161025 and +62213100358, or the citizen protection hot line: +84981848484.

The death toll from the quake has risen to 91, said the Indonesia National Board for Disaster Management (BNPB). The figure is expected to rise in upcoming days as hundreds of people are injured while thousands of buildings collapsed. Rescuers have yet to reach the island’s northern part, which was hardest hit.

The Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) said that the powerful quake has not increased the activities of Rinjani volcano on Lombok island, and Agung on Bali island. However, the centre is keeping track on the volcanoes’ activities to give proper forecasts.

Head of the PVMBG Kasbani said that a total 147 aftershocks were recorded, putting both local people and tourists in a state of nervous tension.

According to Spokesman of the BNPN Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, no foreign visitor was killed in the quake. Three ships have been mobilised to evacuate about 1,000 tourists from high-risk areas.

An operation is also underway to evacuate some tourists from three tropical islands of the Gili archipelago, a few kilometres off the northwest coast of Lombok, which are particularly popular for backpackers and divers.

Nugroho said 358 people have left Gili, including 150 Indonesians, and 208 foreigners.

According to search and rescue forces, one Indonesian tourist was killed in Gili Meno island while some others were wounded. Several hotels were damaged.

A ship of Indonesia’s armed forces carrying relief goods including medical equipment, medicines and necessities is heading to Lombok island.

Head of Lombok district Najmul Akhyar said up to 80 percent of the area was destroyed. Power outages occurred, hindering the rescue work. Three schools which suffered the most damage have had to close until further notice.-VNA