7.7 magnitude earthquake in NTT: several Chinese nationals reported injured
Beijing (ANTARA) - China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that several Chinese nationals were injured as a result of the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) on Saturday morning (15/8).
“As far as I am aware, there are several Chinese nationals who suffered injuries due to the earthquake,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian during a press conference in Beijing on Monday.
According to information from the Ministry of Tourism, the government is currently handling tourists who were in the super-priority tourism destination areas of Flores, Alor, Lembata, and Bima (Floratama) and were affected by the earthquake.
A total of 986 tourists who had been stranded on Padar Island due to the temporary suspension of shipping services were repatriated after the Labuan Bajo Harbourmaster and Port Authority Office (KSOP) issued a notice reopening shipping services. All of them arrived safely in Labuan Bajo.
“The Chinese consular authorities in Denpasar have activated an emergency response mechanism to provide consular protection and assistance to Chinese nationals affected and injured by the earthquake,” Lin Jian added.
Lin Jian also stated that the Chinese government continues to monitor developments following the earthquake disaster.
“We express our deep condolences for the lives lost due to the earthquake and our sincere sympathy to the families of the deceased and those who were injured. China is willing to provide assistance in accordance with Indonesia’s needs,” Lin Jian added.
It was previously reported that two Chinese tourists staying at the Jayakarta Hotel in Labuan Bajo were injured due to the earthquake. Both were taken to Siloam Hospital Labuan Bajo.
All hotel guests in Labuan Bajo have been evacuated to safe points outside the buildings, including at Natas Parapuar and the Komodo Regional General Hospital field. Tourists who had been evacuated from the Meurorah Hotel to Puncak Waringin have now returned to their respective accommodation facilities.
Flight operations at Komodo Airport are being carried out with restrictions following technical airworthiness inspections, while shipping services have been gradually reopened.
According to preliminary data from the Labuan Bajo Flores Tourism Authority Agency (BPOLBF), tourism service facilities affected by the earthquake include the Jayakarta Hotel in West Manggarai.
The Jayakarta Hotel has recorded structural damage, with some parts of its buildings having collapsed. All guests and employees have been confirmed safe and have been relocated to the nearest safer hotel.
The Papita Mbay Hotel in the Nagekeo area has been reported to have suffered severe damage, while the Ayana, Ta’aktana Marriott, Crown, Menjaga Bay, Luwansa, Sudamala, and Meurorah hotels only sustained minor damage.
Electricity and internet networks in most accommodation facilities in the earthquake-affected area have returned to normal.
Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Lieutenant General TNI Suharyanto stated that as of Saturday at 15.00 WIB, 38 people had been recorded as having died. In addition, around 2,000 people have been reported affected, while the number of displaced persons is still being recorded.