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Jakarta Post

Quake hits Geumpang, damages houses

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Hotli Simanjuntak (The Jakarta Post)
Banda Aceh
Wed, October 23, 2013

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Quake hits Geumpang, damages houses

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n 5.6-magnitude earthquake has rocked Aceh Besar regency in Aceh, damaging several villages in Geumpang Pidie district.

The quake, which took place on Tuesday at 12:40 a.m., was centered 16-kilometers southwest of Aceh Besar with a depth of 10-kilometers and was felt in eastern and western parts of the province.

Geumpang is a district located some 200 km east of provincial capital Banda Aceh. The area is situated in the Bukit Barisan mountain range area at an elevation of between 500 and 1,500 meters above sea level.

The quake did not have the potential to trigger a tsunami as it took place on the mainland in Aceh Besar regency.

'€œWe'€™re still trying to make an inventory of the damage, especially residents'€™ homes in the area,'€ said Geumpang Pidie district secretary Jafar.

The Tangse district administration is still trying to reach affected villages. According to data gathered by the district authorities, dozens of homes in the three villages suffered slight to severe damage.

'€œThe worst-hit villages were Neubok Badeuk, Pulo Kawa and Pulo Seunong, but other villages may also likely have suffered damage. We'€™re still conducting field observations,'€ said Jafar.

The number of casualties have yet to be listed, except an injured victim by the name of Lina Yusri, who suffered a fractured leg as she fell from her motorcycle when the road cracked open.

The district authorities have yet to receive reports of casualties.

Based on data gathered by the district authorities, 16 homes were damaged in Pulo Kawa village, 22 in Pulo Seunong and 50 in Neubok Badek.

The quake was also felt in Banda Aceh and caused panic among residents there, with people seen rushing out of their homes to avoid falling debris.

'€œThe quake did not last long but was quite powerful. It also caused me a headache,'€ said Nia of Keutapang, Aceh Besar.

Nia claimed she was on her way to pick up her child from school. The quake did not cause any damage in Banda Aceh city.

This was the second quake to hit Tangse after an earlier quake hit the area on Jan. 22.

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