6.9 Earthquake Hits Banggai, Residents Evacuate to Higher Grounds
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12 April 2019 21:50 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) reported a 6.9-magnitude earthquake hit the region of Banggai and Banggai Islands at 18:40:49 local time on Friday night, April 12.
Initial reports suggested that it would trigger a possible tsunami, which caused residents to evacuate to higher grounds and mountains.
The panic was clearly felt in the testimony of local Luwuk resident Pian. “We’ve reached the bottom of the mountain together with hundreds of other residents.”
Read: Malang Hit by Magnitude 5 Earthquake, No Tsunami Potential
Meanwhile, another testimony came from a mother of one Amelia, who was in the middle of packing her belongings to evacuate when Antara reached her. “We are preparing to evacuate to the mountains following reports of seawaters receding on the beach.”
According to BMKG, the earthquake’s epicenter was 85 kilometers southwest off the coast of Banggai Islands with a hypocenter of 10 kilometers beneath the ocean.
Following BMKG’s initial tsunami warning, the agency updated its report an hour later at 19:47 Indonesia Western Time (WIB) and lifted its tsunami warning.
ANTARA | TEMPO.CO
