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Indonesia earthquake death toll climbs to 347

The death toll from devastating earthquake that rocked the Indonesian Island of Lombok has reached 347

© AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana

MOSCOW, August 8. /TASS/. The number of people killed in a powerful earthquake that rocked the Indonesian Island of Lombok on Sunday has reached 347, the ANTARA news agency reported on Wednesday citing data provided by the Indonesian National Board for Disaster Management.

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Aftermath of deadly Indonesia earthquake

"These figures have been provided at a meeting of district heads," a spokesman for the national board said. According to preliminary data, 54 bodies have been found in the Gangga area, 171 in Kayangan, 11 in Bayan, 54 in Tanjung and 57 in Pemenang. "That’s all the information we received from the heads of districts on Wednesday afternoon," he added.

Meanwhile, work is in progress to search for people who could be trapped under ruins, with special equipment used during the operation. According to medical workers, many victims are reluctant to stay indoors. "Most of them do not want to stay indoors during treatment or after an operation. They want to be treated outdoors," the doctors said.

According to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Center, a 6.6 magnitude earthquake rocked the Lombok Island on Sunday. The epicenter of the tremors was located 49 km northeast of the city of Mataram, which has a population of 319,000. The seismic center was 10 km deep. A tsunami warning was issued, which was lifted on Monday.

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