Magnitude 5.3 Earthquake Damages School in Tasikmalaya

A magnitude 5.3 earthquake that shook Pangandaran Regency on Wednesday night has had repercussions as far as Tasikmalaya Regency, causing damage to a school building. The tremor affected the Kober Sirojul Huda early childhood education (PAUD) centre in Kampung Sukamulya, Dusun Cipanjang, Raksasari Village, Taraju District.

Roni AKS, Head of the Tasikmalaya Regency Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), confirmed the damage to the educational facility. He stated that the incident occurred at night when there were no teaching and learning activities taking place in the classroom.

Roni explained that the school had reported the incident to the BPBD and the Tasikmalaya Regency Government. Although the school wall suffered minor damage from two tremors—a large jolt followed by a moderate one—teaching and learning activities at the PAUD are confirmed to continue as normal. He urged the public to always remain alert, given that earthquakes can occur at any time, making preparedness and vigilance essential.

According to data from the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the tectonic earthquake occurred at around 21:55 Western Indonesian Time. The latest analysis updated the earthquake’s parameter to a magnitude of 5.2. The epicentre was located in the sea, 87 kilometres southwest of Pangandaran Regency, West Java, at a depth of 14 kilometres. The BPBD continues to monitor the field to ensure there is no additional damage in the Tasikmalaya Regency area and its surroundings.