Bengkulu Rocked 484 Earthquakes Throughout 2025, Residents Asked To Stay Alert

The tremors of the earthquake were felt again by Bengkulu residents on a number of occasions this year. Although some are on a small scale and do not cause any damage, the frequency is quite often made people in several areas remain alert to anticipate potential aftershocks.

The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) of the Kepahiang Geophysics Station noted that from January to December 7, 2025, there had been 484 earthquakes in Bengkulu Province.

"Earthquakes in the Bengkulu area have been recorded since January until now as many as 484 earthquakes," said the young Meteorology and Geophysics Observer at the Kepahiang Geophysics Station, Detalia Nurutami, in Bengkulu City, Sunday.

According to him, hundreds of these events had variations in magnitudes ranging from 1.0 to 6.3. Most of the earthquakes came from a depth of less than 60 kilometers below sea level, which indicated the character of shallow earthquakes and could potentially be felt stronger by residents.

The areas that experience the most earthquakes are on Enggano Island, North Bengkulu Regency, Seluma Regency, South Bengkulu Regency, and Kaur Regency.

BMKG reminded the public to remain vigilant, understand official disaster mitigation information, and not be easily influenced by fake news related to potential aftershocks.

The peak of earthquake activity occurred on Friday (23/5/2025) at 02.53 WIB, with a magnitude of 6.3, which rocked almost the entire Bengkulu area.

"This earthquake was caused by intarslab or deformation activity under the earth's crust. After these earthquakes were felt by almost all Bengkulu Provinces with MMI III to VI," said First Meteorology and Geophysics Observer Muhammad Najib, adding.

The strong earthquake left significant impacts, ranging from residents' homes to social facilities.

Secretary of the Bengkulu Province Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Kharistian Hermansyah, explained that the 6.3 magnitude earthquake caused 248 houses to be affected, including 20 houses severely damaged.

In Bengkulu City, damage was recorded in two schools, two mosques, two sub-district offices, public facilities, and 192 houses. Meanwhile, in Central Bengkulu Regency, damage occurred to a number of buildings in Bakau Village and Pondok Kubang Village, including educational facilities such as PAUD, SD, and SMK.

The government and BMKG urge residents to understand evacuation routes, ensure the family's readiness to face disasters, and monitor official updates from reliable information channels. Not only vigilance, preparedness is the key to reducing risk when an earthquake occurs again.