Hundreds of Houses Damaged after M7.5 Earthquake in Maluku

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - More than 70 residents’ houses in Southwest Maluku of Maluku Province were damaged following the 7.5-magnitude earthquake on Tuesday, January 11, at 00:47:34 western Indonesian time (WIB), according to data from the operation control center of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency’s (BNPB).

“The Southwest Maluku Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) recorded a total of 73 damaged houses in its area. Of these, 29 houses were heavily damaged and 44 were lightly damaged. Public buildings such as two schools and a church were also lightly damaged,” said the acting head of the BNPB’s Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Center (Pusdalops), Abdul Muhari, on Tuesday.

Additionally, five people suffered injuries. Until the report was received by the Pusdalops BNPB, there were no reports of residents evacuated. The affected areas in Southwest Maluku Regency, among others, are in the districts of Dawelor Dawera, Leti, and Damer.

Meanwhile, the number of residents' houses in Tanimbar Regency damaged by the quake reached 92.

After the powerful quake, the Maluku BPBD mobilized personnel including Pusdalops officers and medical personnel, as well as logistical assistance, as emergency response in Tanimbar and Southwest Maluku districts.

The high intensity of the quake also cut off the road connecting Oinlasi and Niki-Niki in Timor Tengah Selatan of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Province, as reported by the Timor Tengah Selatan BPBD.

“In response to the post-quake emergency, BNPB Chief Lt. Gen. Suharyanto will depart for Maluku in the early hours of Thursday, January 12, 2023,” said Muhari, adding that the visit is aimed at monitoring the impact of the earthquake and ensuring that emergency efforts run effectively.

MARIA FRANSISCA LAHUR

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