Indonesia earthquake: Over 90 killed as 6.9 magnitude quake hits Lombok Island

A powerful earthquake struck the tourist island of Lombok in Indonesia on Sunday, August 5, killing over 90 people and injuring hundreds of others. The quake was initially said to be of 7.0 magnitude on the Richter scale but was later brought down to 6.9.

As per the United States Geological Survey, the earthquake was about 19 miles (30.5 km) deep, with its epicentre in the east-southeast of Loloan. The earthquake also brought with it a low-level tsunami alert, which has now been removed.

The National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said that many houses had been reduced to rubble in the August 5 quake, and most of the deaths were caused by the collapsing houses, reported Fox News.

Panicked residents and tourists were seen out on the streets and soldiers and other rescue personnel were seen carrying bodies and injured people out of buildings in stretchers and carpets.

The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency for Indonesia said that the region has been feeling several aftershocks and could also witness another major earthquake. 

Speaking of the earthquake, Harian, a Lombok woman, told the Associated Press: "I was watching TV when I felt a big shake. The lamp was shaking, and people were shouting 'Get out.' I ran out into the dark because the power cut off."

Several celebrities were in Indonesia when the earthquake struck and they all took to Twitter to detail their experience and assure their fans they are fine. One of them was model and cookbook author Chrissy Teigen, who is vacationing in Bali with husband John legend and their two children. 

Social media is now flooded with images and videos of the terrifying earthquake and people can be seen trying to get out of buildings with their children. 

Meanwhile, another video on Twitter shows an imam continuing to pray even though the whole room is seen shaking. 

The latest earthquake comes just a week after Lombok witnessed another quake, measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale, that killed about a dozen people on July 29. Apart from the casualties, about 800 hikers were trapped on Mount Rinjani volcano in Indonesia and were evacuated about two days later. About 560 people -- hikers and their guides – were trapped after the quake triggered massive landslides and dislodged rocks in the region.

The 6.4 magnitude quake brought with it several aftershocks, after which tonnes of rocks and mud rained down the mountain blocking all the hiking routes. The hikers, said to be from several countries such as France, the United States, Thailand, Germany and the Netherlands among others, could be rescued only after their guides found an alternate route to come down the mountain.

Post the earthquake, the region was rattled by about 280 aftershocks and the strongest one was recorded at 5.7 magnitude.