5.6-Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Indonesia’s West Java

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency said on Monday, Nov. 21, a 5.6-magnitude quake hit near West Java’s Cianjur, about 100 kilometers from Jakarta.

The West Java Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) said that the quake destroyed some buildings but did not elaborate as the relevant agencies are still collecting data on the grounds.

“It’s true, there were houses and other buildings that were damaged,” said Andrie Setiawan, a spokesperson for the West Java BPBD on Monday, via text messaging.

“Currently, we are still collecting reports from the affected regents or cities. The local BPBD is still conducting an assessment. So we haven't received the complete data,” he said.

Also read: 6.9-Magnitude Quake Strikes Off Western Indonesia

Meanwhile, the quake struck near towns south of Jakarta, according to the United States Geological Survey.

The quake shook buildings in Indonesia's capital, according to AFP reporters, although there were no immediate reports of damage in Jakarta. There were no reports of casualties or major damage in the capital, where people rushed out of buildings.

Mayadita Waluyo, a 22-year-old lawyer, described how panicked workers ran for the exits of their building as the quake struck.

“I was working when the floor under me was shaking. I could feel the tremor clearly. I tried to do nothing to process what it was but it became even stronger and lasted for some time,” she said.

“I feel a bit dizzy now and my legs are also a bit cramped because I had to walk downstairs from the 14th floor.”

Also read: Quake in Indonesias East Java Kills Eight, Damages over 3,000 Homes

AFP journalists working in their office tower in Jakarta were also ordered to evacuate the building.

Indonesia experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to its position on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", where tectonic plates collide.

(Writer: Dendi Ramdhani | Editor: Teuku Muhammad Valdy Arief)

Sources: https://bandung.kompas.com/read/2022/11/21/143359778/gempa-m-56-guncang-cianjur-sejumlah-bangunan-rusak.

Agence France-Presse