USA TODAY International Edition
Dozens dead as powerful earthquake hits Indonesia
The death toll rose to 82 after a magnitude 7.0 earthquake rocked the Indonesian island of Lombok and nearby Bali on Sunday, damaging buildings, sending terrified residents and tourists running into the streets and triggering a brief tsunami warning.
National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho announced the death toll – which could rise as search-and-rescue operations continue.
Social media posts from the scene showed debris piled on streets and sidewalks. Hospital patients, many still in their beds, were rolled out onto streets as a safeguard against structural damage to the hospital buildings.
“Back in the house now. That was an attention getter,” tweeted @Bali_chris. “Strongest quake we’ve felt in the 13 years we’ve been here. Much stronger than the last one in Lombok that we felt in Bali. Hope everyone in Lombok is safe.”
Lombok, about 50 miles east of Bali, was rocked by a magnitude 6.4 quake less than a week ago that killed 16 people. That quake injured more than 150 people, damaged thousands of homes and cut off power to many more.
The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency for Indonesia reported scores of aftershocks in the hours after last week’s quake – and warned that another major quake could be imminent.
The agency issued a tsunami warning after Sunday’s temblor but withdrew the warning a short time later.
Iwan Asmara, an official from the Disaster Mitigation Agency, said panicked residents and tourists ran from their homes and hotels to move to higher ground. Model Chrissy Teigen, vacationing in Bali with husband John Legend and their children, said she fled to the streets. “oh my god. Bali. trembling. So long,” Teigen tweeted. “Oh man. We are on stilts. It felt like a ride. 15 solid seconds.”
Minutes later, Teigen tweeted, “im either still trembling or these little quakes won’t stop IM TRYING TO BE NORMAL HERE”
The quake struck at 6:46 p.m. local time Sunday. The epicenter was 12 miles southwest of East Lombok. Lombok is known for its beaches, surfing, diving and snorkeling, and it’s home to a sea turtle hatchery.