Earthquake death toll rises to 319

THE death toll from an earthquake on the Indonesian island of Lombok rose to 319 yesterday as aftershocks triggered panic in the tourist spot.

The 6.9-magnitude quake on Sunday levelled tens of thousands of homes and businesses.

Since then the region has been hit by more than 350 aftershocks, the worst of which struck yesterday.

Readings showed it had a magnitude of between 5.9 and 6.2. Officials had earlier said that more than 1,400 were seriously injured, with more than 150,000 left homeless.

On the nearby Gili islands, more than 8,000 tourists and resort workers have been evacuated. On Bali, the airport, two shopping malls and a temple are among buildings hit.