Lombok quake: Thousands evacuated after dozens die on Indonesia island

LOMBOK - SOME 10,000 people have been evacuated on the Indonesian island of Lombok after a powerful 6.9 magnitude quake on Sunday left more than 90 people dead.

Witnesses spoke of chaos and terror as buildings collapsed and power and communication lines were cut.

Boats have been sent to evacuate more than , tourists from the nearby Gili islands.

Aid agencies said the priority was to provide shelter for residents too scared to return to their homes. The agencies said the impact was far bigger than another Tuake that hit Lombok last week, killing 16 people. Sutopo Purwo 1ugroho, a spokesman for the ,ndonesian 'isaster Management Agency, said that the northern area of Lombok had suffered massive damage.

Three C-130 Hercules aircraft and two helicopters have been deployed to deliver tents and medical aid, but the earthTuake has brought down roads and bridges, making areas difficult to reach.

(lectricity supply in the worst affected areas has been cut off and telecommunication networks are not working. 7he death toll stands at , all ,ndonesians, but Mr 6utopo said that number would ³definitely increase”. At least another people have been inMured.

He pointed to the situation at a collapsed mosque in the village of Lading- Lading in north Lombok, where a lack of heavy lifting equipment had made it difficult to locate victims.

2ne official said of north Lombok had suffered damage.

The main city of Mataram was also badly affected, with medical staff struggling to cope with the inMured at the damaged hospitals.-BBC