uthorities in Poso, Central Sulawesi, are gathering data on the impact of a 6.6 Ritcher scale earthquake that hit the regency late on Monday evening.
According to the Poso Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), residents in several areas across the regency were injured by rubble of buildings that collapsed during the earthquake, which struck at around 10:35 p.m. local time.
“Three residents from Sedoa and Alitupu villages were injured by rubble from buildings,” BPBD Poso head Masdian Mentiri.
He further said that another resident from Tokorondo village in Poso Pesisir had been injured by falling rubble and was taken to a nearby community health center. “For the exact number of injured victims, we are waiting for the results of data collection on the ground,” said Masdian.
Several houses belonging to Sedoa villagers were severely damaged in the earthquake, he added.
The BPBD, along with Indonesian Military and National Police personnel, are working to allay the fears of local people, some of whom are reportedly panicking over fears the earthquake could cause a tsunami.
“According to a report from the BMKG [Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency], the earthquake won’t trigger a tsunami because the epicenter of the earthquake is on the land, not sea,” Masdian said.
The BMKG data also showed people in several areas had felt the shock of the earthquake. These areas include Parigi Moutong, Sigi, Tolitoli, Pasang Kayu, and Tana Toraja – all are in Central Sulawesi, as well as Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, and Gorontalo. (foy/ebf)
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