(Currently), a (disaster) command post has been built in front of the Jayapura Mayor's Office that is used as a shelter for the (affected) residents.
Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA) - The Jayapura City Government in Papua Province announced a 21-day disaster emergency response period from February 9 to March 1, 2023, due to the 5.4-magnitude earthquake that rattled the region and claimed four lives.

According to the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the disaster struck on Thursday at 3:28 p.m. Eastern Indonesia Standard Time (WIT) and was centered on land at one kilometer southwest of Jayapura City, at a depth of 10 kilometers (km).

Acting Regional Secretary of Jayapura City Robby Awi stated here on Thursday that the emergency response status was issued on the basis of the joint decision taken at the city government’s meeting with related institutions.

"Later, we will follow up on the establishment of the (disaster) command post where people can temporarily take refuge," he noted.

Furthermore, he remarked that several public facilities, such as hospitals and government offices, as well as the residents' houses were damaged by the earthquake.

"It (the number of damaged buildings) will continue to be recorded by the Jayapura City Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) as well as a Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Office team," the acting regional secretary stated.

He noted that areas in the sub-districts of North Jayapura and South Jayapura bore the maximum brunt of the earthquake.

The Jayapura City Social Affairs Office also continues to coordinate with the Social Affairs Ministry to build disaster command posts at several locations across the city.

“(Currently), a (disaster) command post has been built in front of the Jayapura Mayor's Office that is used as a shelter for the (affected) residents," Awi noted.

Furthermore, he appealed to all people of Jayapura City to remain alert and to not believe in false information regarding the disaster.

His side also appealed to all schools to be closed on Friday (February 10, 2023), as several of them were reportedly damaged. Learning activities will resume on February 13, 2023.

The BMKG stated that fragile rocks are one of the causes of the recent frequent earthquakes in Jayapura City.

The agency recorded that 1,079 earthquakes struck the city from January 2 to February 9, 2023, at 2:25 p.m. Western Indonesia Standard Time (WIB) of which 132 were felt by the residents.

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Translator: Ardiles Leloltery, Uyu Liman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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