Sukabumi Shaken by 5.4 Magnitude Earthquake; BPBD Reports No Damage Impact Yet

SUKABUMI Regency, West Java, was struck by a 5.4 magnitude tectonic earthquake on Friday 13 March at approximately 02:18 WIB. The tremor was sufficiently strong to be felt across several other regions.

According to data from the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the earthquake’s epicentre was located at coordinates 8.04 South Latitude-106 East Longitude, positioned 121 kilometres south-east in the sea at a depth of 53 kilometres.

Novita Wulandari, 33, a resident of Sukamantri Village, Kalapanunggal Sub-district, RT 16/01, said she was startled whilst sleeping when the tremor occurred. “It felt like something was waking me up. The vibration was quite strong,” Novita said on Friday 13 March.

Although the tremor lasted only several seconds, Novita said she ran out of her house. She remained outside for an extended period due to concern over aftershocks. “But thank goodness there were no further earthquakes,” she concluded.

Anwar, 29, a resident of Cianjur Regency, also felt the significant tremor. The earthquake occurred whilst he was gathered with colleagues before dawn prayers. “I was socialising, but my body felt shaking. It turned out there was an earthquake,” Anwar said.

The local Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) immediately undertook intensive field monitoring. Assessment efforts continued to ensure conditions across various areas were monitored.

“We immediately instructed on-duty personnel to monitor field conditions, including District Disaster Management Officers (P2BK) across 47 sub-districts to monitor developments in their respective areas,” said Daeng Sutisna, Operations Centre Manager of Sukabumi Regency BPBD.

Preliminary monitoring results from the field indicated no damage impacts from the earthquake. However, as of the time of reporting, personnel were still conducting field operations to monitor post-earthquake conditions.

“Based on monitoring results and reports from P2BK across each sub-district, up to 08:00 WIB in Sukabumi Regency there have been no reports of earthquake damage impacts. The monitored regional situation remains safe and stable,” he concluded.