TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) reported that an earthquake hit Banda Sea areas, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), today, August 21, at 11:09 local times. The tectonic quake, measuring 6.9 on the Richter Scale, originated in the sea, 165 km southeast off Buton, Southeast Sulawesi, at a depth of 586 kilometers.

Based on the modeling results, the incident had no potential for a tsunami. The agency confirmed it was caused by the activity of plate subduction under the area.

“The analysis result of the quake mechanism concluded that it occurred on a normal fault mechanism,” said the agency’s head of quake and tsunami center, Rahmat Triyono, adding that there was one aftershock measuring 5 on the Richter scale.

The shakes were felt in Waingapu and Wakatobi at up to III-IV MMI level, Mataram and Sumbawa Besar at III MMI level. The tremor also reached Bima city, Ende, Ruteng, Kairatu, and Banda at II-III MMI level, as well as Tambolaka, Kendari, Kupang, Ternate, and Alor at II MMI level.

The Mataram Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) reported that locals also felt a weak tremor caused by the 6.9 M earthquake for one to two seconds.

Read: BMKG: Bengkulu Hit by Strong Doublets, No Sign of Tsunami

MOH KHORY ALFARIZI