A magnitude 6.1 earthquake occurred on the morning of October 4 in the waters near Southwest Sumba Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia.
After strong shaking, damage to homes, churches, schools, and other facilities was reported in succession, and residents evacuated outside their buildings.
We summarize, based on the confirmed scope, why the initial field information differed from the subsequent damage assessment.
3-line summary
1. Magnitude 6.1 earthquake near Southwest Sumba
2. Damage was reported to 20 homes and facilities
3. Damage figures may change depending on field investigations
Shaking That Began at Sea at 6:55 a.m.
The earthquake occurred at 6:55 a.m. on October 4 (local time). Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) announced that the epicenter was in the waters approximately 14km west of Kodi District in Southwest Sumba Regency, at a depth of 10km. Southwest Sumba Regency is an administrative region on Sumba Island in Indonesia’s East Nusa Tenggara Province.
Kompas reported that the earthquake’s shaking was felt not only in Southwest Sumba Regency but also in West Sumba Regency and West Manggarai Regency. Local residents said they ran outside because of the strong shaking, and that cracks or collapses appeared in the walls of some homes.
Several aftershocks of less than magnitude 4 continued for an hour after the main earthquake. There were also field accounts that residents remained outside their homes for some time because of concerns that aftershocks could occur.
Damage to 20 Homes and 1 Person with Minor Injuries
A detikNews report citing the provisional assessment by Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) said that 20 homes in Southwest Sumba Regency were damaged. Of these, 19 were classified as sustaining minor damage and 1 as sustaining moderate damage. The damage was spread across villages including Waikadada, Werena, Bondokodi, and Hombakaripit.
Three churches also sustained minor damage, while Manutoki Elementary School and the family planning hall in Walandimu Village were counted among the damaged facilities. In West Sumba Regency, damage was reported to the ceilings and walls of 3 homes or military barracks and 2 buildings.
One person suffered minor injuries after being struck by building debris and was reportedly receiving outpatient treatment after receiving medical care. No deaths or serious injuries were reported in the same assessment. However, these figures are a provisional tally based on field investigations.
The Initial Announcement and Subsequent Assessment Were Made at Different Times
Immediately after the earthquake, BNPB said that local disaster-response agencies were checking the damage and casualty situation, and that no damage or deaths had been reported at that time. The subsequent assessment of damage to 20 homes came after the scope of the investigation had expanded. Rather than the initial announcement being reversed, the damage details appear to have become more specific as information was collected at the disaster site.
Photographs and videos cited in the Kompas report showed damage, including collapsed brick walls, but the authenticity of the video materials has not been verified. Therefore, it is safer to rely on the confirmed damage as reflected in BNPB’s provisional assessment and field checks.
BNPB advised residents not to enter damaged buildings and, in the event of aftershocks, to avoid buildings with cracks and coastal areas. The initial response base was established at the Makodim 1629 field in Southwest Sumba Regency, and personnel were also deployed to support emergency response if necessary.
References
Tags #earthquake #Indonesiaearthquake #SumbaIsland #SouthwestSumba #EastNusaTenggara #magnitude61earthquake #earthquakedamage #homedamage #aftershocks #BNPB #BMKG #disasterresponse