A magnitude 6.1 earthquake hit Malang, East Java on Saturday, 10th April 2021, resulting in the death of 8 people. At least 39 were also injured in the disaster.
While the epicenter of the earthquake was 96km south of the town of Kepanjen in Malang Regency, the shock was felt throughout East Java and some parts of the neighboring Central Java.
At least 1,189 houses and 150 public facilities in 15 cities and regencies in East Java were damaged, and people in affected areas are urged to evacuate to the nearest shelters.
A house destroyed by the earthquake in Malang
Image credit: Hendra Permana/AP
As of Sunday, 11th April, at least 9 aftershocks have been recorded, with the strongest being measured at magnitude 5.5 on Sunday morning.
No tsunami warning had been issued by the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysical Agency or BMKG, although the aftershocks were felt as far as Central Java and Bali.
Residents in affected areas are urged to avoid damaged properties and wait at the nearest shelters until it is safe to return to their homes.
A community kitchen run by the Indonesian Red Cross in Malang
Image credit: East Java Communications and Informatics Office
The Ministry of Social Affairs has opened 2 main evacuation centers in football pitches in Lumajang Regency and Tamanasri, Malang Regency, two of the worst affected areas in the province.
According to Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini, there were originally 13 evacuation centers planned but the ministry eventually decided to open only two due to safety concerns. The evacuation centers are equipped with community kitchens run by volunteers from the Indonesian Red Cross and Taruna Siaga Bencana, or Disaster Alert Cadets.
East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa has also encouraged people to stay at temporary shelters in open spaces outside village halls in order to facilitate evacuation in case of an aftershock.
The Malang earthquake is the latest in a series of natural disasters that have hit Indonesia in the past few weeks – it occurred less than a week after flash floods and landslides in Flores, East Nusa Tenggara on 4th April, which killed at least 174.
We hope those affected by the disasters will receive the help they need, and that the relief efforts will run as smoothly as possible in spite of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
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Cover image adapted from Hendra Permana/AP and Rachmad Aditya/Ministry of Social Affairs
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