Kupang Regency Earthquake M 5.5 Flattens 1 House, 2 Families Are Evacuated

Earthquake illustration. (Unsplash)

NTT - At least one of two houses in South Amarasi District, collapsed to the ground due to an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.5 that shook Kupang Regency on Sunday, November 20 evening.

This was conveyed by the Head of Emergency and Logistics for the Kupang Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), Frans Wewo, regarding the earthquake's strength being felt by residents in Kupang City.

"Until this afternoon, only two heads of families (KK) had reported damage to their houses as a result of last night's earthquake," he said when contacted, Monday 21 November, quoted from Antara.

Frans ensured that the Kupang BPBD would continue to monitor the latest developments regarding the impact of the disaster.

"So there were two houses that were badly damaged. One house collapsed to the ground, and another house whose foundations collapsed, but it is vulnerable to being occupied," he said.

Fran said the two heads of families who had reported it was now still taking refuge in the family's house that was safe from the disaster.

BPBD appealed to residents who were affected by the disaster, to immediately report it to the village or sub-district government so that data could be recorded.

Regarding the death toll, he said, so far there has been no. Because at the time of the incident the collapsed house was not occupied by the owner.

Currently, BPBD officers from Kupang Regency are in South Amarasi District to collect data and hand over aid. Officers will also record other damage caused by the earthquake.

The Kupang earthquake with a magnitude of 5.5 was located at coordinates 10.57 degrees south latitude and 123.86 degrees east longitude. The epicenter of the earthquake was 51 kilometers southeast of Kupang City, with a depth of 49 kilometers.

In the Kupang City area, residents rushed out of their homes, even though the shaking only lasted 3-4 seconds.