JARKATA 29 Jul (ANA) - A powerful earthquake has struck a popular tourist destination in Indonesia, killing at least 13 people.

 

The 6.4 magnitude quake hit the central island of Lombok just before 07:00 local time (00:00 GMT) on Sunday.

 

The island attracts tourists from around the world due to its beaches and hiking trails, and is located about 40km (25 miles) east of Bali.

 

Hundreds of people are injured and thousands of homes are damaged, officials say.

 

A Malaysian tourist who was on a hiking trip to Mount Rinjani is among those killed.

 

The US Geological Survey said the epicentre of the earthquake was 50km (31 miles) north-east of the city of Mataram, in northern Lombok.

 

It was followed by more than 60 smaller earthquakes, with the largest recorded at a magnitude of 5.7.

 

Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, a spokesman for the country's disaster agency, wrote on Twitter that 10 people had died and 20 were injured in East Lombok, while three died and 637 were injured in North Lombok.

 

In an earlier statement, he also said that most casualties occurred when victims were hit by debris and falling blocks of concrete.

 

"The main focus now is evacuation and rescue. Some of the injured are still being treated at clinics," he said.

 

He also posted images showing collapsed buildings and streets littered with rubble.(ANA)

FA/ANA/29 July 2018----