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S. Halmahera declares emergency after 7.3-magnitude earthquake
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A screen capture from the USGS website shows the location of earthquakes in South Halmahera and in Biak Numfor regencies in Indonesia and several aftershocks on July 14, 2019. (JP/-)
T
he administration of South Halmahera in North Maluku has declared an emergency status in the regency after a 7.3-magnitude earthquake, followed by at least 70 aftershocks, claimed two lives and sent more than 2,000 people fleeing from their houses.
National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) spokesperson Agus Wibowo said the quakes also destroyed 20 houses in Rangga-Rangga village of East Gane district, 28 houses in Saketa village of West Gane district, six houses in Dolik village of Northwest Gane district and five houses in Kluting Jaya village of South Weda district.
“An emergency status has gone into effect for seven days, from [Monday] to [Sunday],” Agus said during a press briefing at the BNPB’s headquarters in Jakarta on Monday.
The affected individuals were forced to relocate to 14 temporary shelters in South Halmahera set up at the regent’s office, precinct police headquarters and a mosque, said Agus.
Agus said the BNPB had deployed staff to the affected areas to handle the aftermath, while local administrations together with the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the National Police were setting up tents and distributing basic necessities in the shelters.
“We face several challenges, because some locations are isolated and can only be accessed by boat, while aftershocks are still occurring,” Agus said.
According to the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the first quaky occurred on Sunday at 6:10 p.m. local time, followed by 70 aftershocks ranging in magnitude between 3.1 and 5.8 until 12 p.m. on Monday.
