5.3-magnitude earthquake jolts West Java’s southern coast

2 hours ago

Garut, West Java (ANTARA) – A 5.3-magnitude earthquake jolted the southern coast of West Java on Wednesday evening, prompting local disaster mitigation officers to deploy to assess potential casualties and infrastructure damage.

According to the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the epicenter was located 79 kilometers southwest of Pangandaran District at a depth of 18 km, as cited by Garut District’s Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD).

“We are monitoring the situation following the earthquake, which, according to BMKG, had a magnitude of 5.3,” Garut BPBD Head Aah Anwar Saefuloh said in a statement on Thursday.

Saefuloh urged deployed officers to report any structural damage, casualties, or other impacts from the earthquake in their respective areas.

The earthquake, which occurred at 9:55 p.m. local time, was strongly felt by residents in Garut District and surrounding areas, causing panic as people ran outside their homes.

“When I was in the living room at home, I suddenly felt shaking, which turned out to be an earthquake. I immediately ran outside,” said Agus, 55, a resident of Garut Kota Sub-District.

Meanwhile, state railway operator PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) ordered an emergency stop for six train services operating in areas affected by the tremor.

According to PT KAI Operation Area 2 Public Relations Manager Kuswardojo, services were suspended to allow safety inspectors to examine tracks for potential damage or obstructions.

He confirmed that no damage was found along the tracks, and normal railway operations have resumed.