SEREMBAN: “We shouted the azan (Islamic call to prayer) when the roof of the Lombok International Airport began to sway, as if it was about to collapse on us.”
Ammar Sauti, 29, was one of 18 Malaysian volunteers who had traveled to Lombok after the first earthquake hit the Indonesian island.
They had done what they could to help, and were waiting for a flight back to Malaysia when a stronger, more devastating earthquake hit on Sunday.
“The quake cut off electricity supply to the airport. People began to panic and ran helter-skelter in their bid to get out of the airport.
“I had to leave my bag, and with it my mobile phone, and ran out. There were those who were shouting ‘takbir’ and others who were praying. It was sheer chaos as everyone thought they were going to die,” he said when contacted.
Ammar said things began to calm down some 30 minutes later as everyone was gathered on the airport tarmac.
“Not long after that, the airport authorities told us everything was alright and those flying to Kuala Lumpur should get ready to depart. Only then did I reenter the airport to get my bag.
“Alhamdulillah, all us volunteers arrived safely at Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 11.55pm last night (Sunday).”
On their experience volunteering in Lombok, Ammar said they did their best to help four doctors who flew with them to the Indonesian island, apart from trying to ease the burdens of residents who were affected by the initial earthquake.
“We handed out food and water, helped with health checks, distributed medicines as well as other basic necessities. What is really sad is that one of the places we visited when we were there, Dasan Bayan, was reported to be one of the worst hit by this latest earthquake.”
