6.2 Magnitude Earthquake Causes Destruction in Indonesia

On Friday an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2 Killed atleast 35 people and injured hundreds in Indonesia’s Sulawesi Island, with the meteorological agency warnings of aftershocks, possibly vigorous enough to set off a tsunami. 

The powerful earthquake afflicted six kilometres northeast of the town of Majene, at a comparatively shallow depth of 10 km, causing chaos in the residency sending thousands of residents out of their homes and fleeing for higher grounds at 1:30 am (local time). 

Moreover authorities stated that the tremor and aftershocks caused three Landslides, cut electricity, Damaged bridges to regional hubs such as the city of Makassar, and caused destruction of more than 60 homes, two hotels and the office of provincial governor, where atleast two people were buried under rubble. 

A 26 year old resident Sukri Efendy mentioned that currently they are doing well, but they felt a hint of another aftershock. 

Moreover 35 people had been killed in Majene, and in the neighbouring district of Mamuju with more deaths likely to be confirmed as rescue workers are heading apart for search said the Chief of Disaster agency Darno Majid, told reuters in West Sulawesi. 

No tsunami warning was issued but Dwikorita Karnawati, head of Indonesia’s Meteorology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), told a news conference that another powerful earthquake could trigger a tsunami. There had been at least 26 aftershocks, she said, with Friday’s quake preceded by a 5.9 magnitude earthquake on Thursday afternoon.

Back in 2004 on boxing day an earthquake with the magnitude 9.1 shake off the Indonesia’s Sumatra island initiated a tsunami that swept over coastal areas of Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand and nine other countries, killing more than 230,000 people.