Two residents died, and several houses were damaged after the incident
Jakarta (ANTARA) - At least two residents in Cianjur District, West Java, died following a 5.6M earthquake that rattled the area at 1:21 p.m. local time on Monday, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) stated.

"Two residents died, and several houses were damaged after the incident," Acting Head of BNPB's Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Center, Abdul Muhari, remarked here on Monday.

In addition to the death toll, he said the Cianjur BPBD reported that four residents were injured.


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The regional BPBD quick response team is still collecting data in the area. As of 2:11 p.m. local time, seven houses were reported to have incurred heavy damage.

The BNPB also received a report that one Islamic boarding school (pesantren) and the Cianjur general hospital were heavily damaged.

The severity of damages caused to the two government buildings, three education facilities, and one place of worship was still being measured.

"Residents in Cianjur felt strong tremors for 10-15 seconds. In addition to the Cianjur area, Bogor District BPBD Bogor reported that two residents' houses were damaged, and the earthquake tremors were felt moderately there for five to seven seconds," Muhari explained.

According to BMKG, the earthquake's epicenter was located 10 km underground, southwest of Cianjur.


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The BMKG stated that the strength of the earthquake was measured by the MMI or the Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) scale that was recorded at V-VI MMIin Cianjur, IV-V MMI at Garut and Sukabumi, and II-III MMI at Cimahi, Lembang, Bandung City, Cikalongwetan, Rangkasbitung, Bogor, Bayah, Rancaekek, South Tangerang, Jakarta, and Depok.

Based on the inaRISK study, at least 32 sub-districts in Cianjur are likely to be hit by earthquakes of moderate to high intensity.

The BNPB appealed to local governments and residents to increase vigilance and preparedness to face the potential of earthquakes. Residents in earthquake-affected areas should check the structure of the building if they are looking to re-enter their homes after an earthquake struck.


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Translator: Devi R, Kenzu
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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