Cianjur, West Java (ANTARA) - The tremors from a 6.4-magnitude earthquake in Garut district, West Java, on Saturday evening sent some Cianjur residents, who were still traumatized by an earlier quake, rushing out of their homes and offices into open fields.
According to information provided by the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG), the epicenter of the Garut quake was located in the 7.51 degrees south latitude and 107.52 degrees east longitude, or 52 kilometers southwest of the district at a depth of 118 km. Though it posed no tsunami risk, residents were advised to remain cautious.
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The earthquake, which lasted 10 seconds, was also felt in Cianjur and sent people scurrying out of their homes to safety. Cianjur was struck by a 5.6-magnitude earthquake just two weeks ago, which claimed 329 lives, damaged thousands of homes and caused people to seek refuge elsewhere.
Disaster emergency response field coordinator at Cianjur Red Cross, Fajar Aciana, said the vibrations caused by Saturday’s quake were quite strong even though its epicenter was in Garut district. The tremors caused dozens of volunteers, who were on site, to flee to safety.
"The Garut earthquake was felt quite strongly, especially those who were indoors, immediately rushed out of the room. We think that aftershocks will occur again at the Cianjur site," he added.
His administration immediately coordinated with the centralized post of the Cianjur government regarding the impact of the quake. The National Red Cross is also still dealing with the impact of an earthquake that jolted Cianjur on November 21, 2022.
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"We are still coordinating and sending volunteers to the site to collect data; hopefully, this Garut earthquake will not traumatize Cianjur people," he said.
Meanwhile, the strong tremors from the Garut quake caused journalists waiting for a press conference at Cianjur Hall to run away from the pavilion area. They remained in the parking area of the head of Cianjur district's office to anticipate the risk of aftershocks.
"Certainly panicked, bro, because aftershocks, which we thought were centered in Cianjur, have shook again. The 5.6M earthquake that rocked Cianjur two weeks ago still leaves us and Cianjur people traumatized," said Ikbal Selamet, a journalist.
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