398 homes damaged in W. Manggarai quake

KUPANG: The 6.3-magnitude quake in West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), on Jan. 21 caused medium and slight damage to 398 homes.

Fifteen schoolhouses were also moderately damaged, and 11 homes, 18 houses of worship, a hospital and a community health clinic were slightly damaged.

“Damage is estimated at Rp 11.6 billion (about US$1.4 million),” West Manggarai National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) head Adrianus Durhaman confirmed by phone on Wednesday.

Adrianus said damage occurred in two subdistricts and five villages in Labuanbajo city and Komodo district.

“The tremor was very powerful as it damaged hundreds of buildings, but no casualties were reported. Despite the damage to many buildings, no residents took refuge,” said Adrianus, who was in Jakarta to report the damages to BNPB.