Lombok earthquake: Death toll touches 98, may rise; search on for survivors
Jakarta, Aug 7 (IBNS): The toll in the Lombok earthquake in Indonesia has touched 98.
Officials have said that it may rise in the coming days as a search for survivors has been initiated.
Most of the deceased are believed to have been killed by falling debris.
Rescuers are presently searching ruins of a mosque in Lombok, where people are feared to be trapped as a number of them were present inside the building when the quake hit the place on Sunday.
According to the country's national search and rescue agency, workers have been able to rescue at least two people.
The 6.9 magnitude quake has injured hundreds and left around 20,000 people homeless.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo has urged people to remain calm. Taking to Twitter, he said that the ordeal is shared by all while assuring people of assistance.
He has also ordered his officials to send more flights to help out the victims.
Last week, at least 16 people were killed after an earthquake struck the area.
The country is prone to such quakes as it lies on the Ring of Fire, a major area in the basin of the Pacific Ocean where earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur.
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