91 killed in massive Indonesia quake
Jakarta, Aug 6 : At least 91 people were killed and hundreds others injured in a massive quake measuring 7 on the Richter scale that struck Indonesia's Lombok Island, authorities said on Monday.
The shallow quake on Sunday evening that occured only 10 km underground, comes a week after another temblor hit Lombok, popular with tourists who visit its beaches and hiking trails, killing 16 people.
It was followed by about 130 aftershocks, some over magnitude 5. A tsunami warning was issued but was lifted after a few hours. The earthquake was also felt in neighbouring Bali as well as some parts of East Java.
The Indonesian National Board for Disaster Management (BNPB) on Monday morning sent a search and rescue team to the affected area, reports Efe news.
Most fatalities were caused by the collapse of buildings, according to the BNPB, which added that hundreds of the injured have to be treated outside hospitals because of the poor condition of the buildings.
"The main focus at this time is the search, rescue and assistance to people affected by the earthquake and meeting their basic needs," the BNPB said, pointing out the urgent needs for medical personnel, clean water, food, blankets and medicine.
BNPB spokesperson Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said 1,000 domestic and foreign tourists were evacuated. President Joko Widodo said the government will compensate victims whose houses were ruined by the quake, reports The Jakarta Post.
"As (the President) and on behalf of Indonesian citizens, I express deep sorrow for the lives that were lost during the earthquake," Joko said.
Indonesia is prone to earthquakes because it lies on the Ring of Fire - the line of frequent quakes and volcanic eruptions that circles virtually the entire Pacific rim, the BBC reported.
More than half of the world's active volcanoes above sea level are part of the ring.
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Saif Ali Khan’s attacker allegedly let in by house help, Police investigate
Mumbai: Mumbai Police suspect that the attacker who stabbed actor Saif Ali Khan six times during an alleged burglary attempt was let into his Bandra residence by one of his house helps. The house help is currently under scrutiny as police investigate the incident. The 54-year-old actor, who sustained injuries, including one near his spine, has undergone surgery at Lilavati Hospital and is reportedly out of danger.
The attack occurred late at night, and preliminary investigations suggest the assailant may have entered the premises hours earlier and waited for an opportunity to strike. CCTV footage from the residence did not capture any recent entry, strengthening the suspicion that the attacker was assisted by someone inside.
Police reported that the incident began as a scuffle during the burglary attempt. “An unidentified person intruded into the residence of Actor Saif Ali Khan. The actor and the intruder had a scuffle. The actor is injured and is being treated. Investigation is ongoing,” officials said.
The attack has raised questions about security in Mumbai’s high-profile areas. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi criticised the state government, highlighting similar incidents such as the murder of Baba Siddique and the firing outside Salman Khan’s residence. “If celebrities in Bandra are not safe, who in Mumbai is? This is a serious failure of law and order,” she said.
Actor Pooja Bhatt also expressed concerns, urging authorities to address the issue urgently. “Can this lawlessness please be curbed? Bandra has never felt so unsafe before,” she tweeted, tagging Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and senior officials.
Police are now focused on identifying the attacker, who fled the scene, and examining the possible role of the house help in the incident.
