Remain vigilant post-earthquake in Osaka: KJRI

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The Indonesian Consulate General (KJRI) in Osaka has urged Indonesian nationals in Japan to remain vigilant and keep abreast of the situation following the earthquake that hit Osaka on June 18, 2018. According to a press statement of KJRI Osaka, received by Antara here on Thursday, the situation in Osaka Prefecture has returned to normal since Tuesday.

Hence, public transportation facilities, such as Shinkansen, JR Line, Metro Osaka, and city buses, in general, have resumed operations. In addition, access to public facilities, such as electricity, water, and gas, around the epicenter of the quake in northern Osaka Prefecture has also resumed.

However, Japan's Meteorological Agency has still issued a warning status against a possible aftershock within a week of the June 18, 2018, earthquake. The 6.1-magnitude earthquake jolted the prefecture at 7:58 a.m. local time on Monday, but the Consulate General in Osaka reported that no Indonesian nationals were hurt or injured in the quake.

According to the local authority, the quake resulted in two fatalities and injuries to 10 people. However, there were no Indonesian nationals among the victims.

One of Indonesian national in Ibaraki, Osaka, Ibrahim Sholeh, said the quake did not damaged his house. However, the quake was managed to throw some furniture from it position. "Our residence is around 6 km away from the epicenter," Ibrahim said in a text message received by Republika.co.id, Monday.

Following the incident, the office has called on all Indonesian nationals in Osaka to follow the instructions issued by the local authority and to remain vigilant of any aftershocks.

"The government of Japan has issued a warning on the likelihood of aftershocks in several days ahead. Hence, all Indonesian nationals living or temporarily staying in Osaka have been urged to stay abreast of the local news and follow the instructions of the authority," the Consulate General noted.

In an emergency situation, the Consulate General has launched a hotline number +81 80 3113 1003 that can be reached by phone, text, Whatsapp, and Line messengers.

Several local news reports until now said over 300 people were reported hurt and three people were dead due to the quake.

Following the shocks, the local broadcaster NHK reported that nearly 700 people were temporarily displaced from their homes, and they were currently accommodated in evacuation centers.