Indonesia: Lombok Struck by Second Earthquake in One Week

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The Indonesian Red Cross (locally known as Palang Merah Indonesia) helps an injured man to evacuate after an earthquake struck the island of Lombok. Photo: Indonesian Red Cross

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More than 100 Red Cross volunteers are active at the scene of the earthquake. Four volunteers were injured during the response and have been taken to the hospital. Photo: Indonesian Red Cross

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A teenager peers through a classroom window at an earthquake drill on the island of Lombok, Indonesia. The American Red Cross has worked in schools and communities on Lombok to prepare them for crises. Photo: Jenelle Eli / American Red Cross

August 06, 2018

A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Lombok, Indonesia on August 5, leaving more than 90 people dead and injuring hundreds. The weekend disaster followed a 6.4 magnitude quake on the same island last week.

Volunteers and staff from Indonesian Red Cross—locally known as Palang Merah Indonesia— have been supporting the survivors and helped evacuate people from damaged houses and coastal areas to avoid a possible tsunami. The tsunami alert was later cancelled.

The earthquake—which was also felt in nearby Bali and Surabaya—caused widespread panic. People ran from their houses and stayed the night on nearby roadsides to avoid sleeping indoors. Red Cross teams delivered first aid to injured people in the open air, distributed blankets to those sleeping outside, and provided comfort to families experiencing emotional distress from the back-to-back quakes.

Immediate needs include search and rescue, medical care, food, water, tents and sleeping mats.

More than 100 Red Cross volunteers are active at the scene of the disaster and an additional 140 on their way to help. Four volunteers suffered injuries during the earthquake response and have been taken to the hospital.

The earthquake cut power and communications in the area, so a full picture of the needs are still emerging. Some 132 aftershocks have been recorded in the area thus far.

For updates: Follow @IFRCAsiaPacific and @PalangMerah

Media Inquiries Only:

In Washington, DC: American Red Cross, media[at]redcross.org

In Indonesia (Palang Merah Indonesia): Arifin M. Hadi; +62 812-9777-7755 or Ridwan Sobri +62 821-1191-6892

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.