Malaysian killed in Lombok quake
SIX other Malaysians were injured when the 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck the Indonesian island of Lombok yesterday.
When the quake first hit, I did not think much of it... I didn’t think the house would collapse. HAZIQ WAFIY MOHD AZMAN
ONE Malaysian was confirmed dead and six others injured after a 6.4-magnitude earthquake jolted the Indonesian island of Lombok yesterday.
“The Malaysian embassy in Indonesia has contacted the local authorities and we are in the process of sending aid to all the victims,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Indonesian authorities said at least 10 people were dead and another 40 injured after the quake struck just before 5.47am local time (6.47am Malaysia time).
“The embassy is working closely with the Indonesian police and National Agency for Disaster Countermeasure (BNPB) to help Malaysians affected by the earthquake,” said Wisma Putra.
“We have activated an operations centre to identify other Malaysians stranded on the island.”
The ministry said Malaysians in Lombok who required consular assistance could contact the embassy at +62 21522 4947 or +62 8138 0813 036 (WhatsApp).
They can also write to the embassy through email at mwjakarta@kln.gov.my or konsular@gmail.com.
The ministry said the embassy had contacted Malaysian students residing near Bali to confirm their safety.
“Malaysians are urged to remain calm and follow the local news for the latest developments.”
Lombok, which attracts tourists from around the world, is about 40km east of Bali.
It was reported that many buildings were damaged and dozens of people injured in the quake.
The Malaysian victim, identified only as Siti Nur Iesmawida Ismail, 30, was among a group of 18 from Malaysia who scaled Mount Rinjani the night before.
The group was getting ready to leave the house they were staying in when the earthquake hit. Most of the climbers made it out in time.
Five, including Siti Nur Iesmawida, were trapped when the building collapsed.
Siti Nur Iesmawida was believed to have been killed by a collapsed wall. The others were pulled out by colleagues and locals.
Three members of the group sustained serious injuries and three others had light injuries.
Another group of Malaysian climbers were on their way down the mountain when the earthquake hit.
Some 30 Malaysian climbers are trapped at the foot of Mount Rinjani following the quake.
They cannot leave the area as a bridge connecting them to the nearby district had collapsed. An alternative route is out of the question as the pathway is deemed “too risky”.
The family of Nursakinah Hasman, one of the Malaysian climbers, is relieved that she is safe.
Nursakinah’s younger sister, Ayu, said their mother was worried after learning of the earthquake early yesterday morning.
“Our mother asked Nursakinah to come home as soon as she found out about the quake.
“My sister told us that she and her fellow mountaineers were camping at the foothills when the quake occurred.”
Nursakinah, 38, a human resources manager at Petronas, left for Lombok on Friday and was scheduled to return tomorrow.
She and her team were using the Lombok expedition as part of their training to reach the Everest Base Camp in November.
“She said the group did not even manage to begin their trek up the mountain. They are seeking shelter at a camp built by villagers in Senaru,” Ayu told the New Straits Times Press.
“The climbers and villagers are hoping for aid from the authorities as they are anticipating aftershocks.”
She said her sister told her that the group’s food supply could only last for three days. They are sharing whatever resources they have with other victims.
MALAYSIA is ready to provide assistance and support to Indonesia in the wake of the 6.4-magnitude earthquake that struck the popular tourist destination of Lombok yesterday.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said Malaysia was ready to deploy its National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) team to assist Indonesia with the searchandrescue mission and recovery work.
“I want to report that from our side, Nadma has offered to help victims of the earthquake. We are waiting for Indonesia to request for assistance,” she said after spending time with PKR members and residents of Sungai Kandis here yesterday.
On the number of personnel to be deployed, Dr Wan Azizah said: “We have no numbers yet because there is no request from Lombok. We will offer our help. But we will wait for their request.”
She said Nadma recently deployed 22 personnel to Laos following the collapse of a dam.
“They were there to help victims and we also sent food.”
Dr Wan Azizah offered her condolences to victims of the earthquake and their families.
The earthquake claimed the lives of at least 13 people and damaged many buildings. She said one of them was a Malaysian, who is a PKR member.
“One of them is a Malaysian citizen from Desa Pandan. Her name is Siti Nur Iesmawida Ismail (30 years old). Her remains will be brought home. Condolences to her family. I hope they will have the strength (in these tough times).”
Asked if Wisma Putra had made arrangements to bring back the victim from Lombok, Dr Wan Azizah said: “I have not contacted the foreign minister, but we will make the necessary arrangement.”
The earthquake struck at 6.47am yesterday with the epicentre of the shallow quake hitting 50km northeast of Lombok’s main city Mataram, the United States Geological Survey said.