Banda Aceh (ANTARA News) - Life among Aceh residents and businesses in the city of Banda Aceh has returned to normal following the 8.9 magnitude earthquake that rocked Aceh on Wednesday (April 11).

According to reports from ANTARA journalists in Banda Aceh on Thursday, residents` activities in offices, markets and other places have returned to normal.

Additionally, residents who live in coastal areas that were previously evacuated to higher grounds in Banda Aceh and Aceh Besar have now returned to their homes.

Further, Banda Aceh municipal secretary Ramli Rasyid said that the local government`s offices and public services are also returning to normal after Wednesday's major quake.

"Not only the local government`s public services, but economic activities in Aceh and Peunanyong central market has been restored," Ramli said.

Meanwhile, Sofyanuddin, Head of Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Banda Aceh, said there was no serious damage caused by the earthquakes.

"According to our recent data, yesterday`s strong earthquake resulted in slight damage to buildings and there were no fatalities, only the PT Taspen building was heavily damaged," said Sofyanuddin.

Besides, there are reports of minor damage to buildings in the Aceh Politechnic campus and the state`s vocational school (SMKN 2) Aceh.

Sofyanuddin also said that residents who live in coastal areas who had evacuated to higher areas such as Blang Bintang, Lambaro, Soekarno Hatta road, Mata Ie, Ulee Kareng and Baiturrahman Mosque, have since returned to their homes.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2012