"We are upbeat that this aid would reduce the burden of residents affected by the earthquake," Kartasasmita remarked here on Saturday.
The minister also offered stimulant funds for rehabilitation of damaged homes. At least 178 buildings, including homes, mosques, and schools, were damaged in the natural disaster. The quake's epicenter was located at 7.54 degrees southern latitude and 104.58 degrees eastern longitude, at a depth of 10 kilometers (km) below sea level, and 147 km southwest of Sumur, or 164 km southwest of Pandeglang.
The National Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) promptly issued a tsunami early warning, though it was revoked two hours later.
The tremor was felt in Pandeglang at Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) of IV-V; Jakarta, at III-IV MMI; Bandung, Serang, Bekasi, Tangerang, Bandar Lampung, Purwakarta, Bantul, and Kebumen at II-III MMI; and Nganjuk, Malang, Kuta, and Denpasar at II MMI.
The Sukabumi BPBD has evacuated residents living along the Pelabuhan Ratu coast to safer ground following the powerful earthquake.
The BMKG noted that the earthquake was due to the Indo-Australian plate subducting under the Eurasian plates. Related news: Banten earthquake caused by subduction of Indo-Australian plate
Translator: Mansyur S, Fardah
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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