West Sumatra Governor Instructs Fast Handling Of West Pasaman Earthquake

The latest condition of the Yarsi Simpang Empat West Pasaman Hospital after the earthquake that hit West Pasaman/Photo: Antara

PADANG - West Sumatra Governor, Mahyeldi, ordered the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) to move quickly to assist in handling the impact of the 6.2 magnitude earthquake that rocked 17 km northeast of West Pasaman on Friday at 08.39 WIB.

"The BPBD emergency response team is already on its way to West Pasaman. We are coordinating with various parties with BPBD to go to the location this afternoon", he said in Padang, Friday, February 25.

Currently, the team is also collecting data related to the damage and casualties caused by the West Pasaman earthquake, especially in severe areas.

He asked all parties to implement the existing SOPs related to disasters so that there are no overlapping tasks so that responses can be carried out as soon as possible.

Hamsuardi said hundreds of houses had collapsed as a result of the 6.2 magnitude earthquake that rocked the area on Friday.

The worst affected areas were Nagari Kajai in Talamau District and Nagari Kinali.

According to him, currently, the Deputy Regent, District Secretary, and BPBD are already in the worst-hit locations to carry out evacuations and further handling.

He appealed to residents to remain vigilant because there is still the possibility of aftershocks.

"People are asked to remain calm and help each other to overcome this disaster", he said.

An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2 rocked the West Pasaman region on Friday at 08.39 WIB.

Information from the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) said the earthquake, which was located at 0.15 degrees north latitude, 99.98 degrees east longitude at a depth of 10 km, had no potential for a tsunami.