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Residents flee as Aceh rocked by quake
A magnitude-7
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magnitude-7.6 earthquake, with its epicenter 365 kilometers northwest of the Simeuleu Islands, Aceh, rocked Sumatra in the early hours of Wednesday and prompted the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) to issue a potential tsunami warning, thus causing panic among many residents in Banda Aceh.
“My family and I fled in fear of a tsunami,” said Fatimah, 60, of Mulia village, Banda Aceh.
Shaken: Local residents on motorcycles leave their houses following an earthquake in Banda Aceh, Aceh province, early Wednesday. A powerful earthquake hit waters off western Indonesia early Wednesday, prompting offi cials to briefl y issue a tsunami warning. AP/Heri Juanda
People in Banda Aceh, the capital of Aceh province, are still deeply traumatized by the massive 2004 quake and tsunami. The powerful quake in Aceh on Dec. 26, 2004, triggered a tsunami in the Indian Ocean that killed up to 230,000 people.
Fatimah and her family were forced to use a pedicab to flee with whatever clothes they could carry as the quake occurred when most people were asleep. In several parts of Banda Aceh, residents were seen gathering at intersections getting ready to flee due to the BMKG tsunami warning.
“This is my first time in Banda Aceh. I just arrived in the city yesterday and was immediately greeted by the quake,” said Fatimah.
Fatimah had just arrived from Medan, North Sumatra, to visit relatives in Banda Aceh. The panic among residents also caused her to panic and she attempted to flee with her family.
Banda Aceh residents living along the coast chose to move away from the sea moments after the quake warning. They headed to higher ground and far inland. Scores of motorcycles and cars carrying families were seen leaving Ulee Lheue in Meuraxa district.
“The quake was quite intense. I was afraid and panicked,” said Nursiah, who was carrying her child.
Residents remained outdoors until 4 a.m. when BMKG lifted the tsunami warning.
Simeuleu Islands, the quake epicenter, continued to be rocked by aftershocks from the first quake. Four aftershocks of lesser intensity were recorded.
No casualties or significant damage were reported in the quake.
According to Ahmady, of Sinabang city, Simeuleu, residents remained on alert and observing the water level at the beach.
“Residents were not too fearful, but stayed alert while monitoring the water level,” said Ahmady.
Simeuleu Regent Darmili told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday that the situation in Simeuleu Islands was calm after the quake. Darmili said no casualties or damage were reported in the quake. According to him, business activities had returned to normal and residents were carrying out their daily activities as usual on Wednesday.
Medan BMKG Information and Data division head Hendra Suwarta said the quake was caused by movement between the Indo-Australian and Eurasian tectonic plates. He added that at least six aftershocks followed the magnitude-7.6 main quake.
“The aftershocks tended to be of lesser intensity; up to 4.3 on the Richter scale,” said Hendra.
