The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Help for UK tourists after quake
Foreign Office sends staff to Lombok as extra flights added
The UK Government is sending consular staff to earthquake-shattered Lombok after hundreds of tourists were left stranded.
A magnitude 7.0 quake wreaked destruction across Indonesian islands including Lombok, the Gili archipelago and neighbouring Bali.
At least 91 people were killed as houses were flattened and bridges toppled, authorities said, but none are believed to be foreign nationals.
The Foreign Office said staff were being sent to Lombok from the consulate in Bali and embassy in capital Jakarta to assist stranded British tourists.
Extra flights have also been added to help holidaymakers who want to leave, a spokesman added.
Sunday’s disturbance triggered a tsunami warning that led to scenes of panic and later a rush to the coast by those desperate for rescue.
Take That singer Gary Barlow and model Chrissy Teigen were among those affected.
Barlow wrote on Twitter that he had been involved in seven earthquakes, but “none have felt more deep and raw” as Sunday’s in Bali.
Teigen, who was travelling with singer husband John Legend and their two children, wrote on Twitter: “Oh man. We are on stilts. It felt like a ride. 15 solid seconds of “hooooooly s*** this is happening.”
Thousands fled to higher ground amid fears a tsunami would surge in following the quake.
Sunday’s earthquake came after Lombok was rocked by a series of similar quakes on July 29.
A spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) said: “We are working with the Indonesian authorities to provide assistance to British people caught up in the earthquake in Lombok and the Gili islands.
“FCO consular staff are deploying to Lombok to provide assistance to those who need it.
“Bali and Lombok airports are open and running a full service. Extra flights are being added to help people who wish to leave Lombok.
“Anyone travelling to the area should check the latest FCO travel advice which is being regularly updated.”