Sumedang, West Java – An earthquake measuring 4.8 on the Richter scale struck Sumedang district on Sunday evening, causing substantial damage to residential areas. West Java’s acting Governor, Bey Triadi Machmudin, confirmed that the seismic activity led to 248 houses being damaged and forced 456 residents to seek alternative shelter.
Fortunately, no fatalities were reported, but the quake left 11 individuals injured. Governor Machmudin revealed that two of the injured are currently under medical care at different hospitals, while the remaining nine have been discharged after receiving treatment.
“Of the damaged homes, 138 units sustained mild damage, while 110 others were severely affected by the earthquake,” Governor Machmudin stated during discussions with local journalists after visiting the Sumedang Public Hospital.
The quake’s impact prompted medical personnel at Sumedang Public Hospital to evacuate 108 patients to safer areas within the hospital premises.
“Our priority is the safety and well-being of all patients. Despite being relocated from their rooms, they continue to receive adequate medical attention,” added Governor Machmudin.
The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) recorded two aftershocks subsequent to the initial quake, which fortunately did not result in further damage. Daryono, head of BMKG’s Earthquake and Tsunami Center, identified the earthquake as a “shallow crustal earthquake,” triggered by the movement of an active fault in the region, possibly linked to the Cileunyi-Tanjungsari fault.
Daryono highlighted that the depth of the earthquake’s epicenter at five kilometers contributed to the structural damage observed in the affected buildings.
“Indonesia, situated within the Circum-Pacific Belt or the Ring of Fire, regularly experiences seismic activities due to the convergence of multiple tectonic plates,” he emphasized.
The recent earthquake in Sumedang serves as a reminder of Indonesia’s susceptibility to such events. Daryono also referenced a past earthquake in Sumedang on December 19, 1972, measuring 4.5 in magnitude, which resulted in property damage and a landslide in the Cibunar neighborhood area.
He underscored the importance of preparedness and vigilance in earthquake-prone regions, citing the devastating 2004 Aceh earthquake and tsunami, which claimed the lives of at least 230 thousand people in Indonesia’s westernmost province, along with significant impacts in neighboring countries.