SINGAPORE - There have been no reports yet of Singaporeans injured in the magnitude 7.0 earthquake that rocked the Indonesian islands of Bali and Lombok on Sunday (Aug 5), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said.
In response to queries, an MFA spokesman said early Monday that MFA and the Singapore Embassy in Jakarta have reached out to e-registered Singaporeans in the two islands.
"There are no reports of injured Singaporeans thus far," the spokesman said.
"The embassy is also in touch with the local authorities and will closely monitor the situation."
MFA had also managed to set up a WhatsApp chat group for Singaporeans on Gili Trawangan so that they could liaise with one another and return to Lombok on a speed boat at around 4pm on Monday.
At least 82 people were killed and hundreds injured after the earthquake struck the northern coast of Lombok at a depth of 15km on Sunday evening.
The quake prompted a tsunami warning, which was later lifted at 8.25pm local time.
In a statement on Monday, Mercy Relief said that it would be deploying a disaster response team on Tuesday morning to Lombok to conduct the first phase of emergency relief operations.
The NGO said that it is working with its ground partners to ascertain the urgent needs of the disaster survivors.
It will also be running a public fund-raising appeal in Singapore from Monday to Sept 8.
The Singapore Red Cross (SRC) also said on Monday that it would deploy a relief team and send $50,000 to the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI).
This will support disaster recovery efforts and fund the purchase and distribution of relief items, including mats, blankets and household kits, the SRC said in a statement. The humanitarian group has also launched a public fund-raising appeal.
SRC secretary general and chief executive Benjamin William said that some affected areas have not been reached by rescuers, so damage and casualties will rise.
"Our priority is to support the efforts of the Indonesian Red Cross, and to provide them with resources that can help expand their outreach in the affected areas," he added.
Singaporeans in the affected areas should take the necessary safety precautions, monitor the local news for updates and heed the advice of the local authorities, the MFA spokesman said. They should also stay in touch with family and friends.
In an advisory on its website on Monday, MFA also said that Singaporeans should defer travel to Lombok during this period, in view of the recent frequent earthquakes and aftershocks in the Lombok area.
Those who are currently in Lombok are advised to make the necessary arrangements to leave the area via commercial flights, which are still operating out of Lombok International Airport, MFA added.
Singaporeans travelling to Indonesia are encouraged to e-Register with MFA at https://eregister.mfa.gov.sg/
Those who require consular assistance should contact the Singapore Embassy in Jakarta on +62 811 863 348 or the 24-hour MFA Duty Office on +65 6379 8800/8855.
