JAKARTA: Several hundred residents of Mentawai Islands District in West Sumatra Province had fled to a higher and safer location due to the 6.2-M earthquake that shook the region on Sunday at 6.10am local time.
According to Acting Chief of the Mentawai Islands District Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) Novriadi, residents of seven hamlets in Simalegi Village, and those of three hamlets in Simatalu Village, West Siberut Sub-district, fled to a high-altitude location.
“The (evacuation) condition and number of residents fleeing their homes are similar to those in the occurrence of the 6.4 M earthquake on August 28, 2022,” Novriadi said.
He also reported that there were approximately 200 residents of Sikabaluan Village in North Siberut Sub-district who escaped to a safer location.
“At least 200 residents of Sikabaluan Village, North Siberut Sub-district, evacuated,” the BPBD acting chief added.
Furthermore, there was a resident of Betaet Village who had his head wounded after being hit by wood. Fortunately, he immediately received aid from the local health centre, Novriadi also revealed.
Novriadi also pointed out minor damage in the form of cracked walls and chipped wall tiles on the building of Sagulubbek State Junior High School and Betaet Health Centre in Southwest Siberut Sub-district.
Meanwhile, West Sumatra Provincial BPBD and Mentawai Islands BPBD continued to coordinate with related parties for further assessment and monitoring of the impacts caused by the earthquake.
The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has appealed to the community, especially in the West Sumatra region and its surroundings, not to panic in case of earthquake occurrence but to increase preparedness and vigilance against potential aftershocks.
A stack of cans can give a sign of earthquake tremors, that can become an early warning tool inside the house.
BNPB also urged residents who live in coastal areas to evacuate to a higher place if an earthquake strikes for more than 30 seconds to escape potential tsunamis.
