A 6.0 magnitude earthquake was detected on Thursday a mere 100 kilometer southwest of Denpasar, the main city in the Island of Bali, Indonesia. The earthquake caused panic in the tourist island, as people fled buildings which seemed on the verge of collapse. At least 50 people have been injured, with some in critical condition. “The earthquake was a big scare for everyone here,” Monika Szabuniewicz, a Bali resident told Bikyamasr.com. “The roads in Nusa Dua are a mess. There are holes everywhere, the cliff is made of limestone, it's a dangerous area,” she continued. Many schools and offices fell victim to the force of the earthquake, which caused cracks in the walls and some ceilings to cave in. Several local Hindu temples have also reported damage. “Some temples have been damaged, but it is all local banjar (neighbourhood) temples, they are built on bricks, and have a bad structure,” Szabuniewicz continued. “We should have a clearer picture by tomorrow.” Four hours after the initial quake, an aftershock struck, causing no further apparent damage. The quake, although not strong enough to create a tsunami, was felt as far as the Java and Lombok islands of Indonesia. According to official statistics from the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the epicentre of the quake was in the ocean, and had a depth of 61km and a magnitude of 6.0. The initial report by Indonesia authorities measured the quake at a 6.8 magnitude, with a depth of 10km. Doctors reported in one case having dozens of students in blood stained uniforms crying and clutching their bags after their school's roof collapsed. “We panicked and ran out of our classroom but something fell on us when we were running outside,” high-school student Valentina said. “It was a chaotic scene. Tourists dashed out of their hotels to the roads screaming ‘Quake! Quake!',” Bali Hotels and Restaurant Association secretary general Perry Markus said. So far no deaths have been reported, and it seems Bali has dodged a bullet. Even so, many residents remain alert to the possibility of more aftershocks rocking the Hindu island. “Usually earthquakes have many aftershocks. Let's hope this is not the case,” Szabuniewicz concluded. BM
