Authorities in Indonesia reported on November 21 that the death toll from the earthquake that struck the country that same day has risen to 162.
An injured child being carried by their father to a treatment facility in Cianjur, Indonesia, on November 21. (Photo: Antara/Reuters).
This information was provided by Ridwan Kamil, the Governor of West Java province, where the disaster occurred, according to Reuters.
The newly announced figure has significantly increased from the previous count, which recorded 62 fatalities. Governor Ridwan Kamil also stated that hundreds of people have been injured and over 13,000 have lost their homes in the incident.
The earthquake, measuring 5.6 on the Richter scale, occurred in the area of Cianjur city, West Java province, Indonesia, which is located approximately 75 kilometers southeast of the capital, Jakarta.
The Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) reported that they recorded 25 aftershocks within just two hours following the earthquake.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) indicated that at least 25 people remain trapped under the rubble, according to Channel NewsAsia. Abdul Muhari, a spokesperson for BNPB, stated that search and rescue operations would continue throughout the night.
Destruction in the area of Cianjur city, West Java, Indonesia, located about 75 kilometers southeast of the capital Jakarta. (Photo: Reuters).
Vani, a local resident injured in the earthquake, reported that her house’s walls collapsed during an aftershock. “The walls and wardrobe fell down,” she told local television station Metro TV.
“Everything was crushed. I don’t know how my parents are doing.”
Muchlis, a local witness, expressed that he felt “shivers” as the walls and ceiling of his office collapsed.
“I was very shocked. I fear that another earthquake might occur,” he recalled.
Many residents in the capital Jakarta also felt the tremors from the earthquake. Some office buildings were evacuated, Reuters reported. However, BNPB confirmed that the earthquake does not pose a tsunami threat.
