Minister Reports No Significant Damage to Campuses After Palu Earthquake

Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Mendiktisaintek) Brian Yuliarto has stated that he has not received any reports of significant damage to higher education buildings following the 6.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Palu, Central Sulawesi, on Tuesday (16/6). Brian said most universities reported that their infrastructure was in a safe condition, with only minor cracks appearing on building walls due to the Palu earthquake. Some universities reported damage including laboratory equipment and computers that fell during the tremors, collapsed classroom ceilings in several locations, and cracks in walls, floors, and parts of building structures. “Overall, there have been no reports of significant damage to campus buildings. Several universities reported damage to laboratory equipment, computers that fell, and collapsed ceilings, but this has not disrupted campus operations overall,” Brian stated in Jakarta on Wednesday (17/6). Meanwhile, data gathered from Tadulako University (Untad) shows damage to several buildings that had only recently been rehabilitated following the 2018 disaster. The strong tremors caused wall cracks, broken glass, and damage to building cladding materials. The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) reported the earthquake’s epicentre was 42 kilometres southeast of Palu City, with tremors also felt in several areas of Poso and Parigi Moutong regencies. Based on secondary data updated as of Wednesday afternoon, BMKG recorded that seismograph instruments in the field had detected 118 aftershocks, with magnitudes showing a decreasing trend.