Search Operation in Lombok Continues, Call Center Set Up for Foreign Gov'ts
Nusa Dua. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has set up a call center in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, for foreign governments to check the whereabouts and condition of their citizens, after a 7-magnitude earthquake hit the island on Sunday (05/08), killing at least 91 people.
No foreign nationals lost their lives, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said on Monday, on the sidelines of seventh Bali Process Ministerial Conference held in Nusa Dua, Bali.
The call center is supervised by the ministry's citizen protection director, Lalu Muhammad Iqbal.
"Mr. Iqbal has set up a call center, a help desk for foreign visitors at +62 87864124151," Retno told reporters.
Retno said the Immigration Office is helping foreign nationals who lost their passports during the quake.
A tsunami warning issued on Sunday evening was lifted a few hours after.
The main quake was followed by a series of aftershocks. Search and rescue teams are still looking for victims under the debris of collapsed buildings.
According to Retno, the evacuation of tourists from Gili Islands, off Lombok Island, is ongoing.
The quake forced Chief Security Minister Wiranto to postpone a subregional meeting on counterterrorism that should begin on Monday in Lombok.
According to Retno, the event was postponed because many hotels were damaged and electricity has been cut off. All foreign delegations were transferred to safety.
However, the Bali Process meeting proceeds on schedule, with 265 participants, including 20 ministers and six deputy ministers from various countries. Its most important session on Tuesday will be co-chaired by Retno and her Australian counterpart Julie Bishop.
On Monday afternoon, the ministry and BNPB will brief foreign ambassadors on post-disaster management efforts in Lombok.
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