Lombok has been hit by a violent 6.2 magnitude aftershock, just days after a powerful earthquake left hundreds dead.
More than 300 people are now understood to have died following Sunday’s 6.9 magnitude quake (August 5), which also left thousands of tourists stranded.
The latest tremor struck around 6km north west of the island during the early hours of Thursday morning (August 9).
Indonesia’s state news agency Antara reports the death toll at around 350, although this is expected to rise as rescue team sift through the rubble of toppled buildings.
Its national disaster agency on Thursday said more than 150,000 people had been displaced.
Following Sunday’s earthquake, it was reported as many as 3,000 tourists were believed to be marooned on the nearby Gili Islands as a result.
While Lombok and neighbouring Bali airports were operational through despite some minor damage, it has taken several days to evacuate many of the people travelling in the area.
Holiday island Lombok is situated east of Bali on the Pacific Ring of Fire, notoriously for its seismic activity.
The latest bout began in earnest on July 29 with a magnitude 6.4 earthquake, trapping many walkers, hikers and climbers on volcanic Mount Rinjani.
The Foreign Office (FCO) continues to warn against all but essential travel to the Gili Islands, adding there was still a risk of aftershocks and further damage to buildings.
Its latest travel advice, which has yet to be updated in light of the aftershock on Thursday, advises travellers to exercise caution, monitor local media, follow the advice of local authorities and liaise with their travel companies, hotel or guesthouses where necessary.
To date, there have been nearly 400 aftershocks since Sunday, with activity expected to last for another two weeks.