Death toll in Indonesia earthquake reaches 387
Jakarta, Aug 11 : Indonesian authorities on Saturday raised the death toll in Lombok island earthquake to 387, while the number of injured and displaced went up to 13,688 and 387,067, respectively.
The 6.9-magnitude earthquake hit the island on last Sunday and was followed by 451 aftershocks, including strong ones with 5.9 magnitude earlier this week.
National Agency for Disaster Management spokesperson Sutopo Purwo Nugroho warned in a statement that the toll could further increase because of the ongoing search for victims buried under rubble and landslides after the temblor, Efe news reported.
The northern region of Lombok, where the epicentre was located, was the worst affected with 334 deaths. It was followed by West Lombok with 30, East Lombok with 10, Mataram with 9, Central Lombok with 2, and Denpasar, capital of the neighbouring island of Bali, with 2.
A total of 67,875 houses, 468 schools, six bridges, 50 oratories, 20 offices, 15 mosques and 13 health centres were demolished or damaged.
Sutopo said that conditions on the ground were difficult as there were still many victims that had not been evacuated or refugees who had not received adequate attention, coupled with continued aftershocks.
Regional authorities extended the emergency response period till August 25 given the conditions, which will help in providing assistance to victims, according to the disaster agency.
Hundreds of non-profits and community organizations were participating in the relief process in Lombok.
Lombok, located next to the Flores plate, had already suffered the impact of a 6.4-magnitude earthquake on July 29 which left 16 dead, 355 injured and 1,500 buildings damaged.
Indonesia sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region of great seismic and volcanic activity in which some 7,000 earthquakes, mostly moderate, are recorded each year.
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Nation's prosperity key to individual progress: Mohan Bhagwat
Kochi (Kerala) (PTI): RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Monday said individual prosperity can be achieved only when the country is prosperous and secure.
He was addressing a gathering after inaugurating a two-day convention of Balagokulam, a cultural organisation for students affiliated with the RSS, here.
Bhagwat said prosperity and security cannot be achieved in isolation.
"When the country is prosperous and safe, families too attain prosperity and security. When individuals work for the prosperity and safety of the nation, they too become prosperous," he said.
He added that people are often encouraged to contribute towards nation-building.
Referring to the youth, Bhagwat said there is often confusion over whether to focus on personal career growth or work for the country's development.
"There should be no confusion as career building and working for the nation are not contradictory. The key lies in choosing the right path," he said.
As part of the inauguration, Bhagwat offered floral tributes to Lord Krishna.
He also interacted with children participating in the Balagokulam event.
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