Three weeks after a huge earthquake and tsunami hit Palu and Donnggala provinces in Indonesia killing over 2000 residents, participants at the ongoing World Bank annual meetings in Bali, Indonesia, woke up in the early hours of Wednesday scampering for safety following tremors from an earthquake in Situbondo, East Java, 158 kilometers northeast of Nusa Dua, Bali.
Many, however, ran out of their rooms and abandoned sleep when their beds began to shake due to the 6.3metre earthquake.
Indications emerged few minutes later that a midseason tremor had hit another Island, 146 kilometers from Bali
Most visitors are still uncomfortable with the development despite assurances from the government that lives and property were safe.
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The four–day conference ends on October 14. No causality was, however, recorded as the incident occurred mid-sea near Sumenec Regency, in the earthquake prone Java.
Rescuers are still searching for victims after an earthquake and tsunami hit Palu and Donnggala cities of the country a week ago, official death toll was put at 2,000.
In a release to participants, the conference communications team stated that a 6.3 earthquake struck 61 km northeast of Situbondo, East Java (158 km northwest of Nusa Dua, Bali) at 2:44 am Bali time. It explained there was no significant impact on infrastructure after the earthquake and no tsunami potential expected.
It also noted that three deaths were reported in the immediate vicinity of Situbondo, just as the World Bank Group and IMF extended their deepest condolences to the families and communities affected.
The statement said “Many of you felt tremors. All Staff and participants are safe and our joint Security teams are closely monitoring the situation with the Indonesian authorities.
We will keep you informed of any updates.
Your safety is our highest priority.
We, along with the Indonesian authorities, the hotels, and the Meetings venues, are doing everything possible to ensure you receive timely alerts and safety instructions.
Both the hotels and venues have a direct connection to the emergency warning systems should they be activated.
Equally important, safety and security requires your active participation. We urge all Participants to carefully review the emergency information provided by the hotels and in the venues, and to familiarise themselves with what actions to take in the event of an earthquake or tsunami.”
The World Bank group also advised that in the event of an earthquake, the most important direction is to move away from anything that could fall on you and “Drop, Cover, and Hold On.
If an earthquake lasts more than one minute, it may have the potential to trigger a tsunami – get to the 3rd or 4th floor of your building or a near-by building whether the warning siren sounds or not urging people to always follow guidance and instructions from Security personnel or uniformed venue staff.