The most important is that all residents are safe, so residents must be evacuated at one point to facilitate monitoring
Lumajang, East Java (ANTARA) - Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini asked Lumajang District Head Thoriqul Haq to ensure the safety of its citizens following the 6.1 magnitude earthquake that caused casualties and damages on Saturday.

"The most important is that all residents are safe, so residents must be evacuated at one point to facilitate monitoring," the minister said while visiting Kaliuling Village, Tempursari Sub-district, Lumajang District, on Sunday at 2. a.m. local time, to check the impact of the earthquake.

"It would be better if residents are outside the house as their houses are under a cliff and it is impossible to live in, owing to possible aftershocks," she said.

She added that residents living in mountainous areas are at risk of being affected by landslides if aftershocks occur.

The minister instructed officers to immediately build evacuation tents and public kitchens to help residents affected by the disaster.

"For the time being we need to save whatever can be saved, including asking residents to immediately evacuate themselves to the field. Tomorrow I will immediately provide support by providing equipment," she noted.

According to Lumajang District Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Tempursari District area was the worst hit by the earthquake. The number of houses damaged by the earthquake was recorded at 428 units in the sub-district.

"We will convey to the President regarding the (re-) construction of the damaged houses," said Rismaharini.

Meanwhile, Thoriqul Haq said that the local government has appointed the Military District Commander (Dandim) 0821 of Lumajang as the coordinator of aid distribution for disaster victims and the Head of Lumajang Police as the field coordinator in handling the impact of the earthquake.


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Translator: Zumrotun Solichah, Katriana
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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