TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) reports that a magnitude 5 earthquake has hit Gayo Lues district in Aceh. “Strong tremors were felt because the epicenter was on land and shallow,” the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said today.
Sutopo explained that the earthquake lasted 5 seconds. The epicenter of the quake was 10 km deep at 4.15 degrees north latitude and 97.20 degrees east longitude.
Sutopo said that Gayo Leus residents were left panicked and went outside their houses. Other districts also felt the tremors, including Bener Meriah and Bireun districts.
He also confirmed that the quake has no potential to cause a tsunami, adding that there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.
AVIT HIDAYAT