Consul helping Irish caught up in deadly Indonesian quake
IRISH citizens have been caught up in a devastating earthquake in Indonesia which has killed at least 98 people.
The Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed yesterday that it is supporting a number of Irish people trying to leave the affected area.
However, they do not believe any Irish are among those dead or injured.
The Indonesian resort island of Lombok was hit by the 6.9 magnitude quake on Sunday night, which, according to the Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics, led to more than 120 aftershocks.
According to Indonesian authorities, more than 230 people are believed to be injured, while 13,000 houses have been damaged or completely destroyed.
The death toll is expected to rise once the rubble is cleared.
The quake was powerful enough to be felt on the neighbouring island of Bali, where two people were killed.
In a statement last night, the department said it is assisting Irish people in the area hit by the quake, as transport has been severely impacted.
‘Thankfully, as far as we are aware there are no Irish citizens among the casualties,’ a spokesman said.
‘Local transport is severely disrupted, however, and the department through the embassy in Jakarta is supporting a number of Irish citizens intending to leave the affected area.
‘We are liaising closely with the Indonesian authorities to seek to ensure all Irish citizens can travel safely.’
The consul from the Irish embassy is travelling to Lombok to provide direct support to Irish citizens, while the EU has also set up a common consulate support centre at Lombok airport. The department spokesperson added it is continuing to monitor the situation.