Earthquake In North Halmahera Causes Damage In Several Villages

One of the houses affected by the earthquake in North Halmahera/Photo: Antara

NORTH HALMAHERA - The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of North Halmahera Regency stated that an earthquake with a magnitude of 5 which on Monday 18 April at 10:04 WIB occurred in the Galela Utara District, North Halmahera Regency, North Maluku Province, causing damage to several villages.

According to the Head of Emergency and Logistics of the North Halmahera BPBD Henny Tonga, the earthquake caused damage in the villages of Barataku, Towara, Dokulamo, and Ngidiho.

However, he has not explained in detail the damage caused by the earthquake in these villages.

According to the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the tremors caused by the earthquake that occurred in North Galela were felt in the Galela area on a scale of IV MMI, during the day it was felt by many people inside the house and several people outside the house and caused the pottery to break, windows and doors creaked, and walls creaked.

Vibrations from the earthquake were also felt in Tobelo on a scale of II to III MMI. On the MMI scale II vibrations are felt by several people and light objects that are hung sway. Vibrations on the MMI III scale are felt inside the house, it feels as if a truck is passing by.

The BMKG appealed to residents to avoid buildings that were cracked or damaged by the earthquake and to inspect residential buildings to ensure there was no damage that could endanger the stability of the building before returning to their homes.