On 5 August 2018, a destructive and shallow earthquake measuring Mw  6.9 (ML  7.0 according to BMKG) struck the island of Lombok, Indonesia.

[19] The Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics (BMKG) stated that the epicentre of the earthquake was located inland, on the northeastern slopes of Mount Rinjani at 8°22′S 116°29′E / 8.37°S 116.48°E / -8.37; 116.48.

[30] Days following the earthquake, scientists from NASA and California Institute of Technology published a satellite image of the ground shift in Lombok.

The area which was located on the south of the rupture however had a decrease on its height, including Mount Rinjani which had lost 15 cm due to the earthquake.

It struck the island of Lombok at a depth of 12 km and measured at Mw  5.9 (USGS)[40] or ML 6.2 (BMKG), and was felt as far away as East Java.

There were also reports of landslides which buried at least 4 people in Gangga-Kayangan area, Rescue efforts were abruptly stopped due to the earthquake.

[54][55][56] Later that afternoon, Sutopo revised the death toll to 98 people as another 7 bodies were recovered from the West Lombok Regency while the number of injured was raised to 236.

In Lading-Lading village, North Lombok Regency, more than 50 people were trapped inside the Jabal Nur Mosque, while some local residents stated that there were hundreds.

[59] On 8 August, the death toll was raised by the Indonesian National Disaster Management Board to 131 as more bodies were retrieved by rescue workers.

Officials stated that structures in North Lombok Regency, in which the epicentre of the earthquake was located, reportedly suffered the greatest damage.

[63][64] A lack of construction regulations and technical knowledge of builders regarding earthquake resistance, coupled with low economic ability, exacerbated the damage.

[72][73] Terminal facilities of the Lombok International Airport were also slightly damaged, but the runway, taxiway and apron were undamaged and remained operational.

[75] On 6 August, during a press conference, Sutopo stated that a preliminary report suggests that more than 50% of structures in North Lombok Regency had been devastated by the earthquake.

West Nusa Tenggara Governor Muhammad Zainul Majdi later stated that more than 80% of structures in North Lombok Regency had either been damaged or destroyed.

[85] Indonesian President Joko Widodo immediately phoned the Governor of West Nusa Tenggara, Muhammad Zainul Majdi, and ordered him to observe the situation in Lombok.

[86] During a press conference in East Jakarta, he ordered airliners and officials to add flights and assistance for tourists who were leaving from Lombok due to the earthquake.

[98] The Minister of Religious Affairs Lukman Hakim Saifuddin asked Indonesians, including those who were attending the Hajj, to pray for the affected families.

[102] The Indonesian Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman sent 10 billion rupiah to the victims of the quake, collected from the ministry and including a year of his own salary.

[106] BNPB spokesman Sutopo stated that the government's resources were "adequate" for earthquake relief up to recovery, though he added that any international aid would be welcomed.

[111] According to the party's Vice Secretary General Luluk Nur Hamidah, approximately a total of 228 million rupiah had been collected in 24 hours.

[113] The West Java branch of the nation's third largest party Golkar created a fundraising program for the survivors and sent cadres to Lombok.

Head of the Golkar's West Java's Regional Representative Council Dedi Mulyadi stated that a total of 500 million rupiah had been collected.

[117][118][119] A group of singers, including Krisdayanti, Ruth Sahanaya, Dorce Gamalama, Paramitha Rusady, Iis Sugianto, Harvey Malaiholo, Ita Purnamasari, Nia Daniati, Roni Sianturi, and other senior artists, held a benefit concert on 10 August in Bekasi.

[124] The Indonesian National Armed Forces – Mandalika International Marathon held a 7K charity run in Jakarta on 12 August.

[126] On 6 August, the Indonesian National Armed Forces deployed KRI Dr. Soeharso, a hospital ship, multiple aircraft carrying medical supplies, aid and troops to the impacted areas.

[129] Indonesia Red Cross dispatched its medical personnel and around 26 tonnes of aid to the impacted areas, consisting of 2,000 tarpaulins, 2,000 blankets and 2,000 mattresses.

[132] The Indonesian Government confirmed that more than 1,000 people were trapped in Gili Islands, consisting of approximately 700 local residents and 1,000 tourists, and added that ships had been deployed to evacuate them from the area.

[133] The search and rescue operation was severely hampered by blackouts, lack of heavy equipment and downed telecommunication lines.

[136] BNPB officials confirmed the report, saying that some parties demanded Rp 2 million (US$140) to transport stranded tourists to the airport.

[151] In response to the earthquakes on 29 July and 5 August, the Australian, British, Chinese, Malaysian and Singaporean governments issued a travel advisory for their citizens who were intending to visit Lombok.