EN
ID
ACTNews, SOUTHWEST
MALUKU – A magnitude 5.6 earthquake rocked Southwest Maluku on Saturday (12/11/2021)
night. The victims are in urgent need of assistance because their location
is quite difficult to reach.
The Indonesian Meteorology,
Climatology, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) mentioned on its website that the
epicenter of the earthquake was located 163 kilometers northeast of Southwest
Maluku. The hypocenter of the earthquake was 6.98 south latitude and 128.68
east longitude with a depth of 10 kilometers.
Residents of Lilih
Village, East Bebar Village, and West Bebar Village in Damer District,
Southwest Maluku Regency were reported to have been affected by the earthquake.
The Southwest Maluku Regional Disaster Mitigation Board (BPBD) explained that
as a result of the earthquake, 13 houses sustained heavy damage, and 6 houses
sustained moderate damages. In addition, a church and hamlet office were also
moderately damaged.
Wahab Loilatu from
Aksi Cepat Tanggap (ACT) Maluku reported that as many as 21 families have been
affected, forcing them to sleep and even worship outside their homes.
“Their houses have
been damaged by the magnitude 5.6 earthquake that shook Damer. There has been
no relief provided for the affected residents although they direly need it,"
said Wahab, Monday (12/13/2021).
Among their urgent
needs are tarps, tents, blankets, mats, and food aid.
“The distance from
Ambon City to the earthquake-hit location is very far. It can only be reached
by air and sea. There are only two flights a week and one ferry schedule a
week. Transport fares are also very expensive,” concluded Wahab.[]
