6.9 magnitude earthquake jolts Indonesia, claims 82 lives

An earthquake measuring 6.9 magnitude on the Richter Scale struck Lombok island of Indonesia on Sunday, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).

The natural disaster hit the island in the evening after the sunset.

As per reports, the quake was 31 kilometers (19 miles) deep and occured near Loloan on the north end of Lombok and also triggered a brief tsunami warning.

This comes a week after an earthquake of magnitude 6.4 on the Richter scale that jolted eastern Indonesia, which claimed lives of more than a dozen people.

Reportedly, the powerful earthquake and strong aftershocks rocked Bali and Lombok island of Indonesia, causing thousands of people to rush out of their homes and take outdoor shelters.

The death toll in the earthquake has risen to 82. Head of the West Nusa Tenggara Disaster Management Agency Haji Rum informed that most of the victims died in northern Lombok.

All the landline and cellphone services in Lombok's Tanjung town, which is nearest to the epicenter have been reported down.

Featured Image: The Express Tribune

(With inputs from ANI)