Earthquake Shakes Bengkulu Magnitude 5.5, Southwest Earthquake Center Seluma

The BMKG report on the epicenter of an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.5 that rocked Bengkulu, Saturday night (03/07/2021). (ANTARA/Carminanda)

BENGKULU - An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.5 shook 41 kilometers (km) southwest of Seluma, Seluma Regency, Bengkulu Province, Saturday night at 20.09 WIB, was felt quite strongly by residents in Bengkulu City.

The earthquake, which occurred when it was drizzling, had created panic, causing residents to rush out of their homes. "This earthquake was strong enough that the walls of the house shook quite loudly and almost all residents ran out of the house," said Head of RT 02, Jalan Gedang Village, Gading Cempaka District, Bengkulu City, Supratman.

The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) confirmed that the earthquake centered on the sea had no potential for a tsunami, but still asked the people of Bengkulu to be aware of aftershocks.

Head of the Kepahiang Class III Geophysics Station, BMKG Bengkulu Litman, said that the epicenter of the earthquake occurred at coordinates 4.36 South Latitude, 102.34 East Longitude or 41 kilometers Southwest of Seluma with a depth of 26 kilometers.

According to him, the earthquake that occurred was a type of shallow earthquake due to the subduction activity of the Indo-Australian Plate.

The results of the analysis of the source mechanism indicate that the earthquake has an upward movement mechanism or a thrust fault and the results of BMKG monitoring have not shown any aftershock activity.

"The public is advised to remain calm and not be influenced by issues that cannot be justified," said Litman as reported by Antara.

Until now, there have been no reports of damage to either community houses or public facilities that were affected by the earthquake.

The BMKG also asked the people in Bengkulu, especially the people in Seluma Regency, to remain alert to the possibility of aftershocks.