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Shattering earthquake hits Sumatra: 6.3 on the Richter scale!
A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 6.3 struck Sumatra. Damage is currently unclear and a tsunami warning has not been issued.
Shattering earthquake hits Sumatra: 6.3 on the Richter scale!
A severe earthquake struck Bengkulu province on the Indonesian island of Sumatra today. According to the state agency for meteorology, climatology and geophysics (BMKG), the magnitude of the earthquake was estimated at 6.3, while the German Georesearch Institute (GFZ) puts the magnitude at 5.8. The tremors occurred at a depth of just 10 kilometers and occurred around 3 a.m. local time.
The epicenter of the quake was about 40 kilometers southwest of the provincial capital Bengkulu, in a region with around 400,000 inhabitants. Initial reports indicate that several buildings were damaged, some of them severely, but there is currently no official information about injuries or fatalities. The authorities are now warning of possible aftershocks.
No tsunami warning issued
No tsunami warning was issued as a result of the earthquake, which may ease some of the public's concerns. This development is strongly reminiscent of the devastating earthquake of December 26, 2004, which triggered a tsunami in the same region and claimed an estimated 230,000 lives. Indonesia lies in the Pacific Ring of Fire, a geologically active zone that is frequently affected by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, making this region particularly vulnerable to such natural events.
There have been several earthquakes in Indonesia in recent years, often without significant damage, as data from seismological records show. The current shock comes at a time when the population is particularly vigilant in the face of recent earthquakes.
The exact extent of damage and the full impact of today's quake are expected in the coming hours as experts and authorities continue to monitor and analyze the situation. The Indonesian government has already initiated measures to monitor the situation and support affected citizens.
Further details can be found in the report from oe24 and the additions of Time be removed. An overview of previous earthquake events in Indonesia can be found on countrydata.info.