Where Did The Mysterious Bang In Malang Come From? This Is The Explanation Of BMKG, PVMBG And LAPAN

The atmosphere of Buring Satelit Housing, Kedungkandang Subdistrict, Malang City, East Java, where some residents hear a mysterious thud (Vicki Febrianto / Antara)

JAKARTA - The Geophysics Station of Malang's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) stated that until now they do not yet know the source of the mysterious booms heard in parts of Malang Raya, starting Tuesday, February 2, evening.

Reported by Antara, Wednesday, February 3, the Head of the Geophysical Climatology Meteorology Agency of Malang Geophysics Station, Ma'muri said that based on seismic sensor data in Malang, Tretes, and Gedangan, on Wednesday 00.00 to 03.00 WIB there was no increase in seismic activity.

"Until now, we are still not clear about the source of the sound of the boom," said Ma'muri, in Malang Regency, East Java, Wednesday, February 3.

Ma'muri explained, apart from no recorded increase in seismic activity, BMKG Malang Geophysics Station also did not see any lightning strike activity, which indicated anomalies, or increased activity.

"Likewise, data from lightning strike activity also does not show an anomaly of increase," said Ma'muri.

Meanwhile, the Head of the West Region Volcano Mitigation Sub-Division, Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation (PVMBG), Nia Haerani, when confirmed, added that his party also still could not know the source of the explosion that occurred in Malang and its surroundings.

Based on PVMBG data, the mountain that is currently experiencing an eruption is Mount Raung, which is located in the Banyuwangi, Bondowoso, and Jember areas. However, Nia could not confirm whether the sound of the thud heard in Malang and Pasuruan came from Mount Raung.

For the record, Mount Raung is approximately 156 kilometers from Malang City, East Java. Based on public reports, continued Nia, the sound of the eruption of Mount Raung was heard in Banyuwangi, which is approximately 20 kilometers away.

"Public reports have heard voices from Mount Raung as far as Kalipuro to Banyuwangi, or 20 kilometers from the point where the crater erupted at the summit of Mount Raung," said Nia.

Meanwhile, the Coordinator of Public Relations, the National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (Lapan), Jasyanto admitted that he did not find any specific reports regarding events in Malang and its surroundings.

"We have checked on the falling objects monitoring site, there are no meteors," said Jasyanto in a written message received.

On Tuesday, February 2 evening until Wednesday, February 3 in the morning, a number of Malang City residents in several areas heard a loud bang. A resident of Malang City in Kedungkandang District, Aris Midada, said that the booms began to be heard at 23.40 WIB.

"The booms were getting louder at 23.50 to 01.30 WIB. I had time to go outside the house to find the source of the sound," said Aris.

Apart from Aris, another Kedungkandang sub-district resident Sri Sukarnawati said that she heard a continuous boom, starting at 23.30 WIB. At that time, he was asleep, but when he woke up he heard the sound of the thud.

"At that time I was sleeping, then woke up at 23.30 WIB. Not long after, I heard the thump," said Sri, who said that the boom was heard until approximately 04.00 WIB. At this time, the voice was no longer heard.