6.1 Richter Scale Earthquake Shakes Indonesia’s Maluku Province, Triggers Rush to Higher Ground

Maluku governor Murad Ismail urged the inhabitants of Seram to remain on guard, following the BMKG warning on aftershocks and potential tsunamis. Central Maluku Regent Tuasikal Abua reiterated Murad, as he urged the locals to move to safer ground inland.

Assessing the damage

Among the villages that were hardest hit by the earthquake was Tehoru.

“The earthquake damaged up to 40 houses in Tehoru. These include 19 houses in the Mahu hamlet, 12 houses in Pasalulu hamlet, and nine houses in Tehoru itself,” said Tehoru village secretary Subhan Kinlihu.

The BMKG also "urged the inhabitants to remain calm and ignore unsubstantiated rumors. We also call on them to avoid any buildings and other structures damaged by the earthquake,” the Agency said.

“We also call on the inhabitants to check the foundations of their homes before they move back in.” Indonesia sits on the Ring of Fire, a geographical part of the Indo-Pacific region that is vulnerable to volcanoes, earthquakes and tsunamis.

(Writers: Ellyvon Pranita, Rahmat Rahman Patty, Ambon Contributor | Editors: Holy Kartika Nurwigati Sumartiningtyas, Pythag Kurniati, Robertus Belarminus)

Sources:

https://www.kompas.com/sains/read/2021/06/16/163000723/fakta-gempa-m-61-maluku-13-kali-gempa-susulan-dan-berpotensi-tsunami?page=all#page2. 

https://regional.kompas.com/read/2021/06/16/221602678/potensi-gempa-susulan-dan-tsunami-gubernur-maluku-jauhi-pantai-cari-tempat?page=all#page2. 

https://regional.kompas.com/read/2021/06/16/171106178/gempa-m-61-di-maluku-tengah-rusak-40-rumah-warga-di-desa-tehoru?page=all#page2. 

https://regional.kompas.com/read/2021/06/16/223338878/2-rumah-ibadah-dan-sebuah-sekolah-rusak-akibat-gempa-di-maluku-tengah?page=all#page2. 

https://regional.kompas.com/read/2021/06/17/055105178/2-menit-setelah-gempa-di-maluku-tengah-muncul-tsunami-ini-penyebabnya?page=all#page2.