Gov’t will bring home climber's remains as soon as possible - DPM

The government will bring home the remains of the Malaysian woman who was killed in the earthquake in Lombok yesterday as soon as possible, said Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

The victim, identified as Siti Nur Ismawida, 30, was with 17 other Malaysians who were on a mission to scale the volcanic Mount Rinjani.

The victim was killed from falling building debris, while six others were reportedly injured.

“The Malaysian government will strive to immediately bring home her remains,” she said in a Twitter post.

Dr Wan Azizah also conveyed her condolences to the victim’s family saying she prayed that they would be given the strength to get through this tragedy.

In a separate statement, Dr Wan Azizah said Malaysia through the Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta had identified and contacted the next-of-kin of all the Malaysian victims involved.

She said the embassy was also providing appropriate consular assistance to all affected Malaysians.

“Until now, it is understood that 50 victims have been found, including seven Malaysians. I want to convey my condolences to families who lost loved ones. I pray that they be given the strength to face this ordeal,” she said.

She said the government was also ready to lend a helping hand, including search and rescue assistance through the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (Smart).

Full details pertaining to the victim and the group of climbers from Malaysia have not yet been obtained and the Malaysian Embassy in Indonesia is seeking full information on the incident.

The quake shook the region of West Nusa Tenggara and Lombok at 5.47am yesterday causing people to flee homes and buildings.

As of 2pm, the Indonesian authorities confirmed 10 people died and 40 people were injured.

- Bernama