A strong magnitude 6.1 earthquake shook the southern part of Indonesia’s main island of Java on Saturday, but there were no immediate of injury or significant property damage. The U.S Geological Survey said the quake struck 102 milometers ( 63 miles ) south of Banjar city at a depth of 68.3 milometers ( 42.4 ) There was no tsunami warning.
High-rises in the capital Jakarta swayed for around a minute and two-story homes shook strongly in the West Java provincial of Bandung and in Jakarta’s satellite cities of Depok, Tangerang, Boggor and Bekasi. The quake was also felt in other cities in West Java, Yogyakarta and East Java province, according to Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysical Agency. Indonesia is prone to seismic upheaval due to its location on major geological faults known as the Pacific ” Ring of Fire.” A magnitude 5.6 earthquake in 2022 killed at least 602 people in West Java’s Cianjur city, making it the deadliest in Indonesia since a 2018 quake and tsunami in Sulawesi killed more than 4,300 people.
In 2004, an extremely powerful Indian Ocean quake set off a tsunami that killed more than 230,000 people in a dozen countries, most of them in Indonesia’s Aceh province.
Tremors Felt Across West and Central Java
- The shaking was felt strongly in the capital Jakarta, where high-rise building swayed for around a minute.
- Two-story homes also shook in the West Java provincial capital of Bandung, as well as in Jakarta’s satellite cities of Depok, Tanggerang, Bogor and Bekasi.
- The quake was also felt in other cities across West Java, Yogyakarta and East Java provinces.
Affected areas current situation
- On April 22, 2024, a strong 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck the southern part of Java island in Indonesia. The epicentre was located 102 Km ( 63 miles ) south of Banjar city at a depth of 68.3 km ( 42.4 miles ).
- The shaking was felt strongly across West and Central Java, including in the capital Jakarta where high-rise building swayed for around a minute. Two story homes also shook in cities like Bandung, Depok, Tangerang, Bogor and Bekasi.
- Fortunately, there were no immediate reports of injuries or significant property damage, and no tsunami warning was issued.
- Fortunately, there were no immediate reports of injuries or significant property damage, and no tsunami warning was issued.
- Indonesia is highly prone to seismic activity due to its location on major geological fault lines known as the “Ring of Fire”. A magnitude 5.6 earthquake in 2022 killed at least 602 people in West Java’s Cianjur city, making it the deadliest quake in Indonesia since the 2018 Sulawesi earthquake and tsunami that killed over 4,300 people.
- Indonesia’s disaster management authorities remain on alert and are working to ensure communities are prepared for potential earthquake and other natural disasters.
The government involved in providing assistance to the earthquake victims
1. Humanitarian Aid by Indonesian NGOs with Support from Cordaid:
- Indonesia NGOs are offering humanitarian aid to thousand of earthquake victims in North and West Lombok, focusing on shelter, water, sanitation, and healthcare.
- The aid includes distributing tents, constructing communal latrines, water purifier systems, and providing family hygiene kits to address immediate needs.
2. European Union’s Relief Efforts:
- The European Union is providing $2,,13,930.00 in humanitarian funding to assist the most affected families in West Java after a strong earthquake.
- This funding supports the Indonesia Red Cross in delivering shelter items, first aid kits, hygiene materials, clean water, sanitation facilities and medical services to those injured.
3. International Organisation for Migration ( IOM ) Assistance:
- The IOM received a $744969.51 contribution from the European Commission to provide transitional shelters and psycho social support to disaster-affected communities in West Java.
- This aid aims to assist at least 1,200 households with transitional shelters, rain recipients in earthquake-resistant rebuilding techniques, and provide psycho-social training support for health workers, teachers, and community leaders.
4. Government’s Response:
- The Indonesian government is mobilising all relevant ministries and humanitarian resources to respond to the crisis in Lombok, coordinating efforts to reach affected populations and provide essential aid and services.
These combined efforts reflect a multi-faceted approach involving local and international organisations, as well as government support, to address the needs of earthquake victims in Indonesia.
In summary, while the latest 6.1 magnitude earthquake in Java caused shaking across the region, there were no reports of major damage or casualties. However, Indonesia’s vulnerability to powerful earthquake remains a serious concern that authorities continue to monitor and prepare for.
