Ministry of Public Works deploys team to inspect infrastructure after Bitung earthquake

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Public Works (PU) has deployed a team to examine the condition of infrastructure following the earthquake in the waters near Bitung, North Sulawesi, and North Maluku. Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo stated that initial monitoring shows that most roads and bridges are still in safe condition. “For North Minahasa and Bitung, the roads and bridges are still safe for now,” Dody said during a discussion with the media in Jakarta on Thursday. Dody mentioned that there was damage to the ministry’s office facilities in North Maluku due to the earthquake, in the form of broken glass in the office building. “The affected area is our office in North Maluku, all the glass is broken,” he said. According to him, activities at that office are temporarily being carried out from home while following guidance from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) and the local Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD). In addition, the Ministry of Public Works has recorded disruptions to several road sections in the Gorontalo region due to landslides. “For Gorontalo, for the time being, there are indeed some road sections affected and some landslides,” he stated. He added that his side has coordinated with BPBD, BMKG, and the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) to accelerate the handling of landslides and ensure road access remains passable. Dody explained that the government is also preparing emergency response measures if more extensive infrastructure damage is found, including collaboration with the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), BPBD, as well as the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and Police (Polri). “If, for example, there is a damaged road or a broken bridge, we will immediately work together with BNPB or BPBD or with TNI-Polri,” he said. He noted that the initial steps taken are to ensure that logistics flow and public mobility are not disrupted, including the construction of temporary bridges if necessary. Subsequently, permanent repairs will be carried out once field conditions allow and technical assessments are completed. “If needed later, we will build more permanent ones,” Dody revealed. The Ministry of Public Works emphasised that it will continue to monitor infrastructure conditions to ensure the smooth mobility and logistics distribution in the affected areas. Previously, the 7.6 magnitude earthquake that occurred in the waters near Bitung, North Sulawesi, and North Maluku on Thursday morning (2/4) was reported to be felt as far as Gorontalo and triggered panic among residents. The earthquake tremors, which lasted about one minute, caused residents to evacuate their homes due to the strong vibrations felt in several areas.