Earlier today, a 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia’s Java and Bali islands. The shallow quake collapsed homes, causing a panic among residents and killed at least three people.
According to national disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, the victims in East Java’s Sumenep district perished after being crushed by collapsed buildings. Sutopo said,
“The earthquake happened early Thursday when they were sleeping and the quake suddenly rocked so they didn’t have time to evacuate.”
Source: Reuters
It is reported that residents had to leave their homes in Bali’s capital, Denpasar. The nighttime quake was centred at sea, 55 kilometres northeast of Situbondo city.
Indonesia’s disaster agency said,
“The earthquake was felt quite strongly by people in Sumenep and Situbondo for 2-5 seconds. People poured out of their houses. In other areas, the earthquake was felt to be moderate.”
Source: Channel NewsAsia
Source: Channel NewsAsia
Source: Channel NewsAsia
According to Channel NewsAsia, the quake struck at a relatively shallow depth of 10 km. Shallow quakes tend to cause more damage.
The quake comes ahead of the Asean Leaders’ Gathering where Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad is scheduled to arrive. Despite the earthquake, Tun Dr. Mahathir will lead the Malaysian delegation for the Asean Leaders’ Gathering.
He is expected to hold bilateral discussions with his Asean counterpart on the sidelines of the meeting.
Source: Malay Mail
Malay Mail reported that Wisma Putra officials said the prime minister’s travel plans were unchanged and that he is still due to depart for Bali this afternoon.
Tun Dr. Mahathir will be accompanied by his wife Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah as well as officials from the Prime Minister’s Office and Foreign Ministry.
We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased and we pray for the speedy recovery of those who were left injured after the quake.
(Source: Says / Malay Mail / Channel NewsAsia)
