“Lombok in Shock”: A Day of Aftershocks, Anxiety, and Bare‑Bones Life
Just four days after a 6.9‑magnitude tremor that ripped through Lombok, Indonesia’s holiday island was hit again—this time by a 5.9‑magnitude aftershock that shook the island to its core.
What Went Down
- At 8:09 am on Thursday, the quake struck shallowly in the north‑west.
- It was part of an unprecedented 355‑strong aftershock sequence that rattled villages, buildings, and bruised nerves.
- Because roads were shattered and tunnels clogged with rubble, relief teams pressed on to hunt for survivors.
It All Goes Wrong, Even While You’re Delivering Aid
Imagine being stuck in traffic while the entire street erupts. An eyewitness, Sri Laksmi, shared, “We were stuck in the traffic while delivering aid, suddenly it felt like our car was hit from behind. It was so strong.” Meanwhile, people leapt out of their cars, screaming, as motorcycles toppled over and nearby walls collapsed.
The Human Toll
- 164 people confirmed dead in the Sunday quake; +1,400 seriously injured; over 150,000 displaced.
- In the north and west—where the tremor was strongest—hundreds of homes, mosques, and businesses lay in ruins.
- Three bodies were found in a collapsed mosque in Lading Lading, and another was recovered from Pemenang; rescuers are still piecing out how many might have been inside.
Ghost Towns, Tents, and Docs on the Field
Vacation spots turned into deserted streets. Villagers camped under tarpaulins or makeshift tents, often sharing a single water source from a nearby stream. “There has been no help at all here,” sighed 36‑year‑old Multazam, who, like many others, is three shoes barefoot, no clean water, no food.
Where the Help Comes In
- The Indonesian Red Cross set up 10 mobile clinics in the island’s northern sector.
- In Tanjung, a field hospital serves 500+ evacuees. Dr. Kurniawan Eko Wibowo reports, “Most patients have broken bones and head injuries. We lack the infrastructure for clean surgery.”
- Despite these efforts, supplies are slow, especially in the gravel‑laden, rugged roads—hindering everyone from reaching medical help.
Children’s Cry for Warmth
“Children are among the most vulnerable,” says volunteers—headlights torn from their blankets, alive in an open field, fighting cold and illness.
Feeling Salty in the Aftershock Season
Shock waves rips not only the stone but also the heart. In Lombok, people still chew the grains of mystery: who else lies beneath the rubble? How many more families remain unharmed? The truth is, each aftershock sings a new chapter in a tragedy that felt like a relentless drumbeat—each thump marching closer to a fragile stability that still, at best, whispers of hope.
