Tajik President Emomali Rahmon yesterday extended condolences to Indonesian President Joko Widodo over the devastating earthquake that struck the country’s popular tourist island of Lombok on August 5, the Tajik president’s official website said.

In his message of condolences, President Rahmon expressed deepest condolences to the people of Indonesia on behalf of the government and the people of Tajikistan.

Emomali Rahmon also asked to convey his deepest sympathy to families and relatives who have lost their loved ones.  

International media report say at least 98 people were killed when a 6.9-magnitude earthquake and strong aftershocks rocked Indonesia's resort islands of Bali and Lombok on Sunday, causing people to rush out of homes, hotels and restaurants.  Another 200 were injured.  

The deadly quake was 31 kilometers deep and struck near Loloan on the north end of Lombok. It was also felt on Bali to the west.

The quake occurred in the early evening after sunset and was the second powerful temblor on Lombok in a week.  A 6.4-magnitude earthquake shook the island July 29, killing more than a dozen people and briefly stranding hundreds of hikers on the slopes of a volcano.