Bandung Regency Government Implements Earthquake Disaster Emergency Response Status

The condition of one of the houses that was badly damaged after the earthquake in Bandung Regency, West Java, Wednesday (18/9/2024). (ANTARA/Rubby Jovan)

BANDUNG - The Regency Government (Pemkab) of Bandung, West Java, has declared an emergency response status for an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.0 that occurred at 09.41 WIB, resulting in as many as 491 houses being damaged.

Bandung Regent Dadang Supriatna said the determination of the emergency response status was carried out to facilitate the provision of assistance to victims to use Unexpected Expenditure Funds (BTT).

"Today I also ask to hold a joint meeting with the Bandung Regency Forkopimda to decide in the emergency response category so that in terms of budget we can launch it," said Dadang in Bandung Regency, Antara, Wednesday, September 18.

He said the implementation of the disaster emergency response status due to this earthquake was carried out for two weeks from September 18 to October 2, 2024.

He added that this decision would make local governments focus more on handling people affected by the disaster.

"And of course we will call all service heads related to rescue to be able to overcome this disaster," he said.

He said that until now there were six villages affected by the earthquake with hundreds of houses that suffered minor damage, heavily and moderate damage. He said earthquake victims would first have to be evacuated.

"In the meantime, we are preparing an evacuation site. I suggest that residents around Kertasari District go directly to the evacuation site that has been provided by the team," he said.

Meanwhile, the West Java Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) reported that the number of injured victims from the incident was 82 people. Those who were injured were identified in Bandung Regency 81 people, and one resident of Garut Regency.

"With details, 59 residents suffered minor injuries and 23 people were seriously injured. So far, there have been no reports of casualties due to the 5.0 magnitude earthquake," said West Java BPBD Expert Public Relations Officer Hadi Rahmat.

Untuk warga yang mengalami luka berat, kata dia, saat ini sudah dibawa ke Rumah Sakit (RS) Bedas Kertasari dan Puskesmas Bedas untuk menjalani perawatan lebih lanjut.

"The victim who was hit by the rubble has been rushed to Bedas Kertas Kertasari Hospital and to the Kertasari Health Center," he said.