Monday’s earthquake in Cianjur Regency claimed at least 162 lives, West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil said, most of whom were children.
During a media briefing yesterday evening, Ridwan said that the death toll will likely increase as victims are recovered from collapsed buildings and rubble.
“As recorded in BPBD’s (Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency) call center, 162 people have died. The majority of those who died were children, and we are deeply saddened,” the governor said.
The 5.6-magnitude earthquake struck 10 kilometers southwest of Cianjur Regency at 1:21pm yesterday. Ridwan said children were still at school when buildings across the region collapsed from the quake.
According to the latest BNPB data, the quake caused major damage to 2,345 homes and other buildings, causing many to collapse as they lacked the structural integrity to withstand even a moderate earthquake. At least 13 thousand have been displaced from their homes and are staying in 14 shelters that were set up in the region.
At least 326 people suffered minor to severe injuries and are receiving medical care, Ridwan said.
Though Ridwan’s update is now reported as the official casualty count in the country, it must be noted that, as of this morning, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) still has the Cianjur death toll at 62. As such, we can expect numerous revisions and updates in the days ahead.
Meanwhile, the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) recorded 122 aftershocks up to 7:30am today ranging from 4.2 to 1.5 in magnitude, though they are weakening and becoming increasingly sparse.
Cianjur Regent Herman Suherman yesterday declared a state of emergency in the regency for the next 30 days.
