INDONESIA: Powerful earthquake claims 10 lives, damages many buildings

Tragedy struck in the popular tourist destination of Lombok in Indonesia on Sunday, when a powerful earthquake measuring 6.4 magnitude struck in the area claiming 10 lives and damaged many buildings.

Around 40 people were injured and many fled into open fields away from collapsed buildings.

“We jumped out of our beds to avoid anything falling on our heads,” said Jean-Paul Volckaert who was woken by the quake while sleeping in the Puncak Hotel near Senggigi on Lombok.

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“I’ve been walking around but so far there is no damage. We were very surprised as the water in the pools was swaying like a wild sea. There were waves in the pools but only for 20 to 30 seconds,” he told Reuters via telephone.

“The people in the villages may have damages. It’s still early morning here.”

Authorities say the rampaging earthquake hit Lombok island early in the morning when many people were still sleeping.

 

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