BNPB: Mamuju Earthquake Causes 17 Injures And 70 Heavy Damaged Houses

JAKARTA - The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) said an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.8 in Mamuju, West Sulawesi on Wednesday (8/6) caused 17 people to suffer minor injuries and around 70 houses were seriously damaged.

"No people have died. However, 17 people were injured and around 70 houses were heavily damaged, one government building was a place of worship and so on," said BNPB Head Lt. Gen. Suharyanto, quoted by Antara, Thursday, June 9.

He said there had been three aftershocks after the main earthquake, namely a second earthquake with a magnitude of 4.8, a third earthquake of magnitude 4.4 and a fourth earthquake with a magnitude of 2.8.

In addition to the number of injured victims and building damage, his party has also just received data from the local government that there are as many as 1,500 families (KK) who are still displaced.

After reviewing the affected locations, BNPB immediately began an emergency response period of three to seven days. During that period, it is hoped that residents will not panic and refugees can return to their respective homes.

It is certain that all the needs of the victims of the earthquake will be met, such as ready-to-eat food, rice, tents, baby equipment, and family equipment.

“The main thing is the human soul. The safety of West Sulawesi residents is a priority, those who are injured will be treated, then for people to evacuate, they are assured that their basic needs are met," he said.

Suharyanto also ensured that BNPB would routinely carry out data collection, to ascertain the number of victims and the level of damage to buildings in the areas affected by the disaster.

The data collected will be used by the government as a reference for improving infrastructure, public facilities such as schools and houses of worship as well as housing for residents in accordance with predetermined categories, namely from light, medium and heavy levels.

"Later on, we will see the categories that are moderately damaged, heavily damaged or lightly damaged. If it is badly damaged, we will get financial assistance, so that later we will coordinate with the governor," he said.