Yogyakarta Governor Seeks Temporary Closure of Gunungkidul Park After Earthquake

TEMPO.CO, Gunungkidul, Yogyakarta - Yogyakarta Governor Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X has sought the temporary closure of Gunungkidul Cultural Park on account of the severe damage it suffered in a magnitude 6.4 earthquake on Friday night.

While reviewing the earthquake’s impact in Gunungkidul district on Saturday, he asked officials to conduct a thorough inspection of the building and electricity network at the park.

"Please immediately conduct a detailed inspection to figure out the condition of this building," he said.

He also asked the management of the park to empty the auditorium and not use the facility for the time being.

Yogyakarta Governor Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X (front center, wearing glasses and white shirt, carrying a brown folder) inspected Gunungkidul Cultural Park Auditorium building, which was damaged by a 6.4-magnitude earthquake, on Saturday (July 1, 2023). (ANTARA/HO/Pemkab Gunungkidul)

"Please repair this and coordinate with the relevant offices," he said.

The earthquake did not cause severe damage to residents' homes in Yogyakarta, he noted.

On average, he said, the houses only sustained minor damage and they have been handled by the Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) and communities in each region.

"There is no need for disaster emergency response. If the district needs budget or assistance, please coordinate," he added.

Meanwhile, Gunungkidul district head Sunaryanta said that the earthquake affected several parts of the region, including Semanu and Playen sub-districts.

The quake also caused damage to public facilities and government buildings in the two sub-districts, he informed.

"The BPBD is still collecting the data (on the impact). Most of the affected people have helped each other," he added.

At least 114 buildings in the district suffered damage due to the quake, the Gunungkidul BPBD reported.

Head of emergency and logistics at the agency, Sumadi, said that damaged buildings were spread across 12 sub-districts in the region, with the severity of damage ranging from minor to moderate.

However, he said, efforts to handle and monitor the impact of Friday night's earthquake are still being carried out.

"Hopefully, no more damages reported and the situation will be more conducive," Sumadi said.

ANTARA

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