West Sulawesi Today: 81 People Died As A Result Of The Earthquake

Buildings destroyed by the earthquake in Majene, West Sulawesi (Photo: BNPB documentation)

JAKARTA - The Operational Control Center for the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported that the number of victims who died from the earthquake in West Sulawesi had increased to 81 people as of January 17 at 8:00 p.m. WIB.

"In detail, 70 people died in Mamuju Regency and 11 people in Majene Regency," said Head of the BNPB Disaster Database, Raditya Jati, in his statement, Monday, January 18.

The BNPB Pusdalops also updated data on material losses in Majene Regency, including 1,150 damaged houses which are still in the data collection process and 15 school units affected.

Raditya said the BPBD of Majene Regency, Mamuju Regency, and Polewali Mandar Regency continued to collect data and coordinate with related parties in the evacuation process of the affected community.

On Sunday, January 17, BNPB also distributed logistical assistance to Malunda Village, Malunda District, Majene Regency in the form of 140 boxes of instant noodles and 10 boxes of mineral water.

BNPB has also provided initial assistance for operational needs for the handling of the West Sulawesi Earthquake amounting to IDR 4 billion.

"The assistance is given as much as Rp. 2 billion for West Sulawesi Province and Rp. 1 billion each for Mamuju Regency and Majene Regency," said Raditya.

In addition, BNPB distributed 8 sets of isolation tents, 10 sets of refugee tents, 2,004 packages of nutritional supplements, 2,004 packages of ready-to-eat meals, 1,002 packages of side dishes, 700 blankets, 5 units of Light Tower, 200 units of Velbed, 500 packages of baby supplies, 500,000 pcs of cloth masks, 700 packs of sago noodles and 30 units of 5 KVA generator sets.

For information, an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2 occurred on Friday, January 15, at 02.28 WITA in Mamuju Regency and Majene Regency, West Sulawesi.

Then on Saturday, January 16, at 06.32 WIB, the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) announced that an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.0 had occurred in Majene Regency.