Massive Earthquake Struck Southern Java 150 Years Ago, Destroying Temples and Killing Thousands

Indonesia is a country frequently struck by major earthquakes. Some 150 years ago, a great earthquake occurred that claimed many victims.

A report in De Locomotief (20 June 1867) stated that an earthquake centred on Yogyakarta struck on 10 June 1867. The tremors were felt as far away as other cities such as Semarang, Surakarta, Madiun and Banyuwangi.

Werner Kraus, in his book Raden Saleh: His Life and Works (2018), noted that thousands of people lost their lives in the quake. The victims were not only indigenous Indonesians but also Dutch, Arab and Chinese residents.

In addition, many houses and buildings were reported destroyed. Several landmarks of Yogyakarta were also reduced to rubble, including Candi Sewu, the Tugu Golong Gilig and the Tugu Pal Putih.

The great earthquake left many residents terrified. They feared returning to their homes because numerous aftershocks were still being felt.

A report in Java Bode (27 June 1867) recorded that many of them gathered for collective dhikr and prayer, asking God for protection and safety.

According to the BMKG, the 1867 earthquake had a magnitude of 7.8 and struck at around 04.20 local time. It was caused by deformation within the Indo-Australian plate, centred beneath the Indian Ocean.

Hundreds of years later, on 26 May 2006, Yogyakarta was struck by an earthquake once again. The disaster, twenty years ago, had a magnitude of 6.3 and claimed 5,000 lives.