Earthquake Kills Two on Java, Tsunami Warning Lifted
Jakarta. The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency, or BMKG, on Saturday morning (16/12) lifted a tsunami warning for the southern coast of Java, which was triggered by a powerful earthquake that struck the island on Friday evening.
According to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) one person was killed in Central Java and one in West Java, seven were wounded, and hundreds of houses were damaged by the quake.
BMKG revised the main quake's magnitude to 6.9 on the Richter scale from 7.3 that was announced earlier. Seven hours after the quake aftershocks were still recorded.
BNPB and its local branches, which are assisting residents in several districts, reported that news on tsunami in several locations on Central Java and East Java was false, the agency's spokesman Sutopo Nugroho said.
"No tsunami occurred on the southern coastline of Java. Seven aftershocks of small magnitude were recorded," he said, adding that the aftershocks did not cause damage.
He said that not only houses but also several hospitals were destroyed by the quake, and their patients had to be evacuated.
In the main hospital of Banyumas, Central Java, the roof collapsed and the oxygen system was broken, forcing 70 patients out to makeshift tents.
The authorities called on residents to remain calm and watchful of possible earthquakes in the near future.
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