A magnitude-4.8 earthquake struck Indonesia’s Bali island, killing at least three people and injuring seven.
Key points:
- The quake hit just before dawn, just as the island is beginning to reopen to tourism as the pandemic wanes
- A magnitude-4.3 aftershock followed, which was relatively deep, at 282 kilometres
- It toppled homes and temples in Karangasem, killing a 3-year-old girl who was hit by falling debris
The quake affected the Karangasem and Bangli districts on the eastern side of the tourist island and a search has been concluded, Indonesia’s search and rescue agency said in a statement.
The quake hit just before dawn, causing people to run outdoors in a panic.
It struck just as the island is beginning to reopen to tourism as the pandemic wanes.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the quake was centered 62 kilometers north-east of Singaraja, a Bali port town.
Its shallow depth of 10 kilometres may have amplified the amount of damage.
A magnitude-4.3 aftershock followed. That quake was relatively deep, at 282 kilometres.
Gede Darmada, head of the island’s Search and Rescue Agency, said the agency was still collecting updates on damage and casualties.
He said the injuries included broken bones and head wounds.
The earthquake triggered landslides in a hilly district, killing at least two people and cutting off access to at least three villages, Mr Darmada said.
It toppled homes and temples in Karangasem, the area closest to the epicentre, killing a 3-year-old girl who was hit by falling debris, he said.
“Nearly 60 per cent of the houses in our village were damaged and can no longer be lived in,” said Nengah Kertawa, head of Bunga village in Karangasem, one of the worst-hit communities.
Houses and government facilities also were damaged in Trunyan and in Kintamani, a popular sightseeing destination with a stunning lake.
AP/Reuters
