What does 1 Samuel 5:11 mean?

They called together the Philistine rulers and said, 'Send the Ark of Israel’s God back to its own place, or it will kill us and our people.' The whole city was terrified, and God’s hand was heavy on them. 1 Samuel 5:11 - Modern Text Bible

(The leaders are desperate to get rid of the Ark, realizing it brings only suffering and death.)