5.6-M Earthquake shakes Indonesia’s Java island

A magnitude 5.6 earthquake rattled Indonesia’s main island that hit the southwest of Cinjur District, West Java on Monday Afternoon, about 75km southeast of Jakarta, the weather and geophysics agency (BMKG) says.

According to BMKG, the earthquake, whose epicentre was located 10 km underground southwest of Cianjur, was felt at  V MMI (Modified Mercalli Intensity)  in Cianjur, IV-V MMI in Garut and Sukabumi, and III MMI in Cimahi, Lembang, Bandung, Cikalong Wetan, Rangkasbitung, Bogor and Bayah.

The agency said there was no potential for a tsunami. Residents in Cianjur felt quite strong shaking for 10-15 seconds. 

The earthquake which occurred at 1:21 p.m. local time was also felt at II-III MMI in Rancaekek, South Tangerang, Jakarta, and Depok.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) recorded the earthquake at a magnitude of 5.4 on the Richter scale.

Apart from the Cianjur area, the Bogor Regency BPBD reported that two residents' houses were damaged. Earthquake shocks in this area were felt for 5-7 seconds. 

The Sukabumi City BPBD informed its residents that they felt quite strong shaking for 7-10 seconds. People were seen panicking and leaving their homes. Currently, the BPBD is still conducting monitoring in the area. Meanwhile, in the Sukabumi Regency area, the local BPBD also reported that there was a strong shaking of 5-7 seconds. Some residents panicked. 

Likewise, in the Bandung Regency area, residents felt moderate shocks for 5-7 seconds.  

The BNPB Pusdalops also received other reports of residents feeling shocks, such as in DKI Jakarta, Bekasi City, Bogor City and Garut Regency. Residents in a number of these areas felt earthquake shocks with weak to strong intensity. 

BPBD whose area felt the earthquake has been monitoring the impact of the earthquake. 

The Associated Press reported that at least 46 people were, damaging dozens of buildings and sending residents into the capital’s streets for safety.