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Bali affected by NTB earthquake, airports' operations normal
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Breaking News (TJP/File)
T
he resort island of Bali was affected by a magnitude 7 earthquake that struck neighboring province West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) on Sunday evening, leading to a tsunami warning.
The tremor reportedly damaged buildings, including two shopping malls in Denpasar and Kuta, and the Cathedral in Denpasar. Ceiling tiles at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport also fell during the earthquake.
Arie Ahsanurrohim, the communications and legal section head of state-owned airport operator PT Angkasa Pura I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport, said the airport only suffered minor damage, emphasizing that the main facilities and infrastructure, including runway, taxiway and apron, remained intact.
“We will immediately repair damage within 24 hours,” he said on Sunday evening.
He also said that airport operations would resume as normal.
“We have checked flight facilities and ensured that everything is safe for flight operations to resume,” he said.
Separately, Lombok International Airport authorities said the airport operations had resumed as normal, despite pictures appearing to show passengers stranded on the airport's apron circulating on social media.
“At this moment, airport operations at Lombok International Airport remain normal. We encouraged passengers not to panic during the aftershocks and immediately to move to safer places via emergency exits,” Lombok International Airport general manager I Gusti Ngurah Ardita said in a statement.
Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Wiranto, who was in Lombok to attend a scheduled Sub Regional Meeting on Counter Terrorism, gave an assurance that all delegates were “safe and sound.”
“Due to the earthquake, we decided to postpone the meeting and encourage delegates to return to their respective home countries immediately,” he said in a statement made available to The Jakarta Post.
The delegates were enjoying dinner when the earthquake hit.
Wiranto met with Australian Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton earlier today. He also had bilateral meetings with delegates from Myanmar, Singapore and New Zealand.
For updates on Lombok International Airport call Airport Customer Service (0370) 6157000 ext. 806 or hotline 172. (swd)
