At least 216 Thai tourists who were stranded on Mount Rinjani on Lombok island of Indonesia which was hit by a powerful earthquake on Sunday have been brought down to safety while another 100  more were being rescued,  Foreign Ministry’s Spokesperson Bussadee Santipitak said this evening.

She said all the Thai tourists were in high spirits when they were brought down to a relief centre set up by Indonesian authorities and none was hurt.

Bussadee said the Thais were being transported to the town centre in Lombok where they would be provided with lodgings and foods. 

Mount Rinjani is a well-known tourist spot popular among trekkers.  Several of the Thai tourists posted message on social media asking for help after they were stranded on the mountain following the earthquake.

Bussadee said as of 4.30 pm, 216 of the Thais were brought down to the relief centre by their guides and Indonesian military personnel who were mobilized to help with the rescue operation.  She estimated that another 100 were on their way down.  “They are being rescued and they have been in constant communication with us,” she said.

She said Thai Ambassador to Jakarta Songphol Sukchan and the Thai military attache arrived at the relief centre at the foot of Mount Rinjani to help coordinate with local Indonesian officials in helping the Thai tourists.

Indonesia officials reported that the quake has claimed 16 lives.