No Malaysians reported affected by earthquake in Indonesia’s Flores, says embassy

JAKARTA, Aug 15 — No Malaysians have been reported affected by the magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck Flores in Indonesia’s East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) province early today.

The Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta said it had contacted Malaysians in NTT who were registered with the embassy, as well as Malaysian tourists who had informed the embassy of their whereabouts in the region.

“The Embassy is also in close contact with the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to obtain the latest situation update and, as of noon local time, there have been no reports of incidents involving Malaysian nationals,” the embassy said in a statement.

Malaysians affected by the earthquake and requiring consular assistance can contact the Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta via +62 813 8081 3036 or email mwjakarta@kln.gov.my.

The embassy also expressed its sympathy to those affected and hoped that the authorities’ efforts to manage the situation on the ground would proceed smoothly.

The earthquake struck at 4.58am local time, with its epicentre in the sea about 30 kilometres (km) from Mbay at a depth of 15 km. It also triggered a tsunami warning, which the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) lifted at 7.31am after monitoring showed no further significant rise in sea levels.

The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) said about 2,000 residents had been evacuated or had fled to safety following the earthquake that struck Flores Island.

Earlier, the Maumere Search and Rescue Office reported that the death toll from the earthquake and several strong aftershocks had risen to 20, with six people injured and two others still trapped. — Bernama