TEMPO.CO, Cianjur - Cianjur Regency, West Java, was again struck by earthquakes in the early hours of Tuesday, January 24, 2023, forcing residents to return to the evacuation tents as they were worried over more aftershocks.

Ujang, 45 years old, a resident of Sarampad Village, Cugenang District said residents whose houses were not badly damaged by the November 21, 2022, deadly quake had returned to their homes as instructed by the government.

“But because of the three quakes, they are now back to living in tents. Some of the male residents are guarding in front of the tents and abandoned houses,” said Ujang to Tempo via a phone call on Tuesday, January 24, 2023.

Jon Fauzi, 30 years old, a resident of Prima Nagrak Housing Complex in Nagrak Village also said residents in his area have set up emergency tents again following the strong earthquakes. “Yes, we are also taking refuge again, building an emergency tent in front of the house.”

The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) recorded three aftershocks within one hour. The first occurred at 02:45 local time with a magnitude of 4.3, the second at 03:08 WIB with a magnitude of 2.0, and the third at 03:28 WIB with a magnitude of 2.1.

BMKG stated that the quake was centered at 6.81 degrees south latitude and 107.04 degrees east longitude or 10 kilometers northwest of Cianjur Regency and at a depth of 10 kilometers. According to BMKG data, there have been 482 aftershocks since November 21, 2022, with magnitudes ranging from 1.0 to 4.3. However, the three recent aftershocks were the biggest in the last two months.

Cianjur Regent Herman Suherman said his side was still conducting an assessment related to the impact of the three earthquakes. A number of residents were reportedly injured as a result of falling debris from their homes.

“It's true that there are victims who were seriously injured. Children were injured in Sarongge Village,” said Herman.

DEDEN ABDUL AZIZ (CONTRIBUTOR)

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