Pangandaran Earthquake: West Java BPBD Confirms No Damage Reports So Far
The West Java Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) has confirmed that no reports of building damage have been received following a magnitude 5.3 earthquake centred in the Pangandaran area. The quake occurred on Wednesday (5/8) at 21:55 WIB.
Head of West Java BPBD, Teten Ali Mulku Engkun, stated that the agency is continuing to monitor the situation and coordinate with local governments. Based on preliminary reports received up to Thursday (6/8), conditions on the ground remain safe. “As of the issuance of this preliminary report, there have been no reports of casualties or building damage,” Teten said in Bandung on Thursday.
The magnitude 5.3 earthquake was located at coordinates 8.12 South Latitude and 107.91 East Longitude. The epicentre was at sea, approximately 79 kilometres southwest of Pangandaran Regency, West Java, at a depth of 18 kilometres. Tremors were felt in several areas of West Java and parts of Central Java with varying intensities.
Teten explained that the earthquake is believed to have originated from the subduction zone south of Java Island. Although the epicentre was at sea with a shallow depth, the intensity of shaking on land fell into the light category. “Based on the results of temporary monitoring, the highest shaking intensity was on the MMI III scale and is categorised as light. Although the potential for structural damage is very small, we still ask district and city BPBDs to conduct field checks, especially in areas that felt quite noticeable shaking,” he added.
West Java BPBD has instructed BPBD units at the district/city level, particularly in Bandung Regency and Sukabumi Regency, to check for possible minor damage such as cracks in building walls. To date, there have been no reports of residents evacuating. The public has been urged to remain calm and not be influenced by unverified information. Residents are also asked to check the physical condition of their respective buildings before resuming normal indoor activities.