No reports yet on impact of 5.1M earthquake in Burtim District

Jayapura (ANTARA) - The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Sarmi, Papua, is still awaiting reports on the impact of a 5.1-magnitude earthquake that struck on Friday morning (24/7) at around 05.15 local time in Burtim District, also known as the West Coast of the East.

“We are still awaiting reports from the West Coast of the East District, which is the epicentre of the quake,” said Head of Sarmi BPBD Hartono to ANTARA on Friday.

Contacted from Jayapura, Hartono said the West Coast of the East District is about 65 kilometres from Sarmi and lies close to Mamberamo Raya Regency.

“We are still waiting for reports from the West Coast of the East District, also known as Butim,” said Hartono.

Meanwhile, the Director of Earthquakes and Tsunamis at BMKG, Wijayanto, said in a written statement that the 5.1-magnitude quake, which occurred at 05.15 Eastern Indonesia Time, posed no tsunami threat.

The epicentre was located at coordinates 2.46° South; 139.00° East, or precisely on land, 70 km southeast of Sarmi, Papua, at a depth of 10 kilometres.

As of 03:45 Western Indonesia Time, BMKG monitoring showed six aftershocks, with the largest measuring M4.0.

“BMKG will continue to monitor aftershock activity and provide updated information to stakeholders and the public,” said Wijayanto.