5.5 magnitude earthquake rattles Indonesia with Bali holidaymakers feeling tremors
Indonesia has been rocked by a 5.5-magnitude earthquake, rattling thousands of unsuspecting holidaymakers in Bali.
Indonesia was rocked by a 5.5 magnitude earthquake on Monday, rattling thousands of unsuspecting holidaymakers in Bali.
The quake occurred at a depth of 140.9km, about 49km southeast of Nusa Dua and 62km from Denpasar, according to the US Geological Survey Earthquake Hazards Program.
Australians holidaying in Bali say even locals were unnerved by the thunderous shake, which reportedly warped floorboards in hotels at the tourist hotspot.
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18 minutes ago, M5.5 (preliminary) #earthquake south of Bali, Indonesia.
— José R. Ribeiro (@JoseRodRibeiro) August 22, 2022
Widely felt in Lombok too and even in Java, Madura and Sumbawa. pic.twitter.com/p6spOLLss7
There is no tsunami threat to Australia.
The quake is said to have lasted around 10 seconds and no major damage has been reported at this stage.
Sydneysider Olivia Kerr said the quake hit completely shook her and her partner Dan’s hotel room around 4:35pm local time.
“I think I’m in some kind of shock, it’s been about three hours and we still feel as if the ground is unstable, rolling and slanting,” she told news.com.au.
“My partner and I were on the lounge relaxing and initially mistook the thunderous noise as a sudden gale force wind.
“Everything around us was vibrating, the trees bending, I thought I was having a head spin.
“Our whole living room and roof was bending, rising, falling and moving side to side around us. Then panic hit us (as Australian residents) we had absolutely no idea what to do!”
Ms Kerr said the floor “felt like it was breathing beneath us, we couldn’t walk, we thought the roof would collapse, the roaring sound was terrifying, dogs barked like crazy and water from the villa’s pool sloshed out of its edges”.
“It’s a surreal experience, tremors keep coming, the floor moving when we walk, I’ve never felt so useless and vulnerable in my life. I hope everyone is okay,” she continued.
“The locals are even pretty unnerved, saying this is much stronger than anything they’ve felt in a while.”