Taiwanese tourists confirmed safe following Indonesian earthquake

印尼地震後台灣遊客確認安全

Two groups of Taiwanese tourists stranded and rescued after magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck Indonesia


TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Two groups of Taiwanese tourists have been rescued after a magnitude 6.9earthquake struck the Indonesian islands of Bali and Lombok the evening of Sunday, Aug. 5.

Theearthquake was 31 kilometers (19 miles) deep, and has has so far claimed82 lives.

One group of Taiwanese tourists were stranded on an island off of Lombok, part of theGiliIslands, following the quake. They were rescued around dawn this morning, Aug. 6, by members of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Surabaya, according to CNA.

The group was escorted to Sengigifollowing the rescue.TECOrespondedin accordance with local emergency contingencyplansto promptly and safely rescue the Taiwanese tourists.

The hotel of the second group of Taiwanese tourists in Lombokcollapsed and the two travelers were able to evacuate in time. TECO has communicated with the travelers and is likely to reach them Aug. 6 to provide further assistance. according to a statement.

Yesterday's earthquake was the second earthquake to hit Lombok this summer, following a magnitude 6.4 quake July 29 which killed over a dozen people.