6.1 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Off Nias Island, Indonesia
Earthquake Details
Representational image
Jakarta, Aug 18: A 6.1-magnitude earthquake occurred near Nias Island in Indonesia's North Sumatra province on Tuesday, as reported by the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency.
Impact and Aftermath
So far, there have been no reports of injuries or damage to property, according to sources.
The quake struck at 1:02 p.m. local time (0602 GMT), with its epicenter approximately 147 km southeast of South Nias regency and at a depth of 29 km.
Authorities confirmed that the earthquake posed no tsunami threat.
Recent Earthquake Context
This seismic event follows a more powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake that hit Indonesia's East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) province earlier this month, which resulted in 68 fatalities, as reported by the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB).
According to BNPB Deputy for Prevention Abdul Muhari, the casualties included 26 in Manggarai regency, 24 in East Manggarai, eight in Nagekeo, four in Sikka, and two each in Ende, West Manggarai, and Ngada, with 213 individuals injured.
Aftershocks and Damage Assessment
Since the initial quake, at least 1,576 aftershocks have been documented. The main earthquake was centered about 30 km northeast of Mbay in Nagekeo Regency at a depth of 15 km.
Damage assessments indicate that 914 houses were severely affected, while 126 experienced moderate damage and 317 were lightly impacted. Additionally, 93 educational institutions, 36 health facilities, and 38 government offices sustained damage.
Response Efforts
Roads in the impacted regions are generally accessible, though some restrictions remain in place, and no residents are reported missing across the seven affected regencies.
The Health Ministry has dispatched two field hospitals to Manggarai and Nagekeo, along with medical and crisis management teams to assist in health services in the affected areas.
Electricity restoration efforts in western and eastern Flores Island have reached 99.5%, while telecommunications services have recovered to 95.4% across Flores.
The Indonesian military has also mobilized personnel and equipment to expedite the distribution of relief supplies to remote areas.
In response to the earthquake on August 15, the East Nusa Tenggara provincial government has declared a 14-day emergency response status.