Quake damages Majalengka homes

BANDUNG (JP): An earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale rocked the West Java town of Majalengka, leaving more than 2,400 houses damaged and at least three people injured, officials said on Friday.

Majalengka regent Tuti M. Anwar said the people suffered minor injuries from falling debris in the quake, which struck at 10:45 a.m. on Thursday in the small town situated 250 kilometers southeast of Jakarta.

No fatalities were reported from the tremor which caused over Rp 1 billion in material losses.

Hundreds of residents were forced to take shelter in either the houses of relatives or in tents set up by emergency workers (photo above).

The epicenter of the quake was in the neighboring town of Ciamis, and the temblor was also felt in the nearby towns of Tasikmalaya and Garut.

"So far there have been no reports of deaths, only a number of people who suffered slight injuries and who have received medical treatment," Tuti said while accompanying visiting West Java deputy governor Deden Ruchlia.

Tuti added that the districts of Lemah Sugih, Bantarujeug, Singambul and Talaga were the hardest hit areas, with most of the houses and buildings damaged in the quake located there.

Among the damaged structures were school buildings, a police station, a health community center, mosques and subdistrict administration buildings.

Deden said the provincial authorities were also seeking reports of damages and casualties resulting from the quake in Garut, Sukabumi and Ciamis.

Earthquake also shook another West Java town of Sukabumi on June 6.

Indonesia is prone to earthquakes. Last year more than 100 people were killed when a quake measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale hit Bengkulu province on Sumatra island. (25)