BNPB Asks For Data Collection Of Houses Of Worship Affected By The M 5.8 Poso Earthquake To Be Vulnerable To Collapse

Illustration: TNI/Polri officers helped clean up building materials damaged by the impact of the 5.8 magnitude earthquake rocked Poso Regency, Central Sulawesi on Sunday (17/8/2025). ANTARA/HO-Humas Korem 123/Tadulako

JAKARTA - The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) asked joint officers to record the condition of houses of worship affected by the earthquake in Poso Regency, Central Sulawesi (Central Sulawesi), to ensure the safety of the community during worship.

Head of BNPB Suharyanto said his party would also assign a joint TNI/Polri team and other related institutions to conduct a comprehensive assessment of all houses of worship in Tangkura Village, Poso Pesisir Selatan District.

"If it is considered vulnerable in terms of building structure, it is advisable not to carry out activities inside the building. This is for the sake of maintaining comfort and safety in the process of carrying out worship," said Suharyanto in Jakarta, Tuesday, quoted by Antara.

He explained that Tangkura Village was the most affected location after the 5.8 magnitude earthquake (M) on Sunday 17 August right when people worshiped and carried out the celebration of the 80th Indonesian Independence Day.

Based on the temporary rapid assessment received by BNPB, it was recorded that eight residents suffered minor injuries. In addition, the earthquake also resulted in 49 houses being heavily damaged and 34 houses being lightly damaged.

"A number of public facilities were also affected, namely three houses of church worship and one elementary school," he said.

BNPB emphasizes that data collection on places of worship is important because these buildings are often a gathering place for the community, both for routine worship activities and during disasters.

Suharyanto added that the local government and the joint team were asked to immediately make emergency improvements and prepare mitigation measures so that residents' religious activities could continue to run safely.

"BNPB will continue to coordinate with local governments to ensure that the needs of the affected communities can be met immediately, including the recovery of public facilities such as houses of worship and schools," he said.