Sin Chew deputy editor killed in Lombok earthquake

Sin Chew deputy editor killed in Lombok earthquake

22 Malaysians among 40 trapped by landslide at popular waterfall in North Lombok.

Facebook pic.
KUALA LUMPUR:
The deputy chief editor of Sin Chew Daily Tai Siew Kim was reportedly killed today in an earthquake which hit Lombok, Indonesia.

Her death was confirmed by Sin Chew’s newsroom, according to the Malay Mail.

The magnitude 5.4 earthquake occurred at around 2pm, causing a landslide at Tiu Kelep waterfall in Senaru Baru, North Lombok.

Bernama reported that 22 Malaysian tourists were among those trapped in the landslide.

North Lombok Regional Secretariat and Protocol chief Mujaddid Muhas in a statement said there were 40 tourists in the area when the incident occurred.

Tai Siew Kim.

“Thus far, two people have been confirmed dead, while the rescue and evacuation process are still being carried out,” he said.

The first quake, with a magnitude of 5.8 on the Richter scale occurred at 2.07pm Western Indonesia Time and the epicentre was 24km northeast of East Lombok-West Nusa Tenggara.

According to Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysical Agency (BMKG), it was followed by another quake measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale with the epicentre 7km northwest of East Lombok-West Nusa Tenggara at 2.09pm.

The earthquake was felt in North Lombok, Central Lombok, West Lombok and all the way to Denpasar, in Bali.

Meanwhile, a tourist agent in Mataram, Lombok, known as Pak Arno, said the Malaysian travellers were staying at a hotel in Mataram.

He said the authorities were in the midst of evacuating all victims involved in the incident.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta said the embassy was coordinating with local authorities pertaining to the incident.

“There are Malaysian tourists reported missing,” he said.

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