The Number Of Building Damages Due To The Banten Earthquake Increases, Victims Evacuate To Relatives' Houses

TNI members check the houses of victims affected by the Banten earthquake/ Photo: Antara

BANTEN - According to data from the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), the number of houses damaged by an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.7 increased to 2,423 units from the previous 2,224 local units.

BPBD noted that the earthquake caused 362 houses to be heavily damaged, 526 houses moderately damaged, and 1,535 houses slightly damaged in 171 villages spread over 30 sub-districts in Pandeglang Regency.

Head of BPBD Pandeglang Girgi Jantoro in Pandeglang said the earthquake also damaged 43 school buildings, 16 health centers, four village offices, 15 mosques, and three businesses.

Damage to houses and buildings of public facilities occurred in villages in the districts of Sumur, Panimbang, Cikeusik, Cimanggu, Mandalawangi, Cibaliung, Sukaresmi, Munjul, Carita, Angsana, Pagelaran, Jiput, Saketi, Bojong, Cigeulis, Cibaliung, Banjar, Sobang, Majasari, Menes, Pulosari, Cisata, Labuan, Cibitung, Cimanuk, Cikeudal, Picung, Cipeucang, Patia, and Kaduhejo.

Among the houses damaged by the earthquake was the house of Darsih, a resident of Kertamukti Village, Sumur District. The walls of Darsih's house partially cracked due to the earthquake, so she and her three children temporarily took refuge at a relative's house.

"We are better off staying at a relative's house before it is repaired, for fear of collapsing," said Darsih, quoted on Tuesday, January 18.

Girgi said that BPBD would register the houses damaged by the earthquake and propose the allocation of assistance to repair damaged houses to the government.