Lombok Quake: Death Toll Rises to 91, As Many as 209 Injured

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) recorded the death toll from Lombok earthquake on Sunday, August 5, the toll had increased to 91 people.

“The death toll becomes 91 people, 209 people are injured, thousands of houses are wrecked, and thousands of people are evacuated. This is a report thus far, the number is possibly going to increase because we are still collecting data,” said BNPB spokesperson Sutopo Purwo Nugroho in a press conference, Jakarta, Monday, August 6.

He added most of the dead victims were hit by collapsed building due to the tremor, while some died from falling down or suffering a stroke while saving their lives.

Sutopo said the death toll was rushed to the hospital for further identification while those injured victims were hospitalized. The family of dead victims would get a compensation of Rp15 million from the Social Ministry and those suffered injuries would receive Rp2.5 million.

Read also: Jokowi Orders Wiranto to Lead Disaster Management of Lombok Quake

According to Sutopo, the data on casualties was still afoot considering the joint Search and Rescue (SAR) team had not yet completely reached all affected areas.

Sutopo explained no fewer than 10,000 evacuees stayed in several evacuation areas due to the 6.4 magnitude earthquake on July 29, 2018, thus the number was reportedly increased to 20,000 people.

“The data automatically starts from the beginning again, because [for example] resident’s damaged house from the previous quake is now collapsed,” he said.

Sutopo said a lot of residents did not understand the level status of the tsunami warning issued by BMKG in the wake of Lombok earthquake thus they still stayed in the hills or higher places despite the warning issue was lifted since August 5. However, some people chose to stay in front of their houses to keep their belongings.

ANTARA