TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said that the warning to evacuate Lombok that is currently circulating is false. The warning also advised tourists to leave Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air.
The warning went viral following the magnitude 7 earthquake that rocked Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), on Sunday, August 5.
Sutopo explained that the false warning had stirred unrest among tourists, including residents of other neighboring islands. “They requested for an immediate evacuation after receiving the news,” said Sutopo on Monday, August 6.
Read: Lombok Airport to Operate 24 Hours after Quake
The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) had issued an early tsunami warning following the quake. The warning, however, was dropped on Sunday night at 21:25 local time. The status of Lombok Island the Gili Islands remains safe.
“We advise resorts and hotel owners or managements not to evacuate its visitors. Tourists, either domestic or international ones, are not required to leave the islands since the situation is already considered safe and [the earthquake] does not bear any tsunami potential,” said Sutopo.
Read: Indonesia Raises Lombok Quake Death Toll to 91
As reported earlier, roughly around 1,000 people urged to be evacuated from Gili Trawangan and the number has increased following news regarding a potential tsunami. BMKG deemed that 7 SR quake was the main shock.
BNPB further elaborated that aftershocks might strike throughout the following weeks until the area is fully stabilized. However, the agency asserts that the status of Lombok remains safe.
FIKRI ARIGI