REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – The National Agency of Disaster Management (BNPB) reported that earthquakes struck Bengkulu Province, Central Aceh, and Morotai Island in North Maluku. The three earthquakes have similar strength of 5.5 Richter scale.   

The first quake hit south east Seluma-Bengkulu on Monday morning at 06.17 local time. The Head of Data Center, Information, and Public Relation in BNPB, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said, the epicenter was located 46 kilometers south east of Seluma-Bengkulu at the depth of 15 kilometers.

The second quake with the same magnitude happened at 13.55 on local time with the epicenter in 31 km south east from Central Aceh with 10 km depth. The third struck at 15.12 on local time with the epicenter in 49 km south east from Morotai Island and 10 km depth.The residents generally felt a weak tremor when the quake occurred.

 “Not all of the quake will lead to tsunami. The public activity remains normal,” Nugroho said. Yet, the society is warned to keep alert. “Earthquake happens suddenly, no signal at all prior to the quake,” Nugroho added.

An official of Central Aceh, Windi Darsa, said some residents were shocked and panic when the earthquake struck. Central Aceh Local Government plans to review the impact of the earthquake.

A resident of Aceh Besar, Ida, felt the jolt in just seconds. “Most of us were shocked but not everyone could feel the earthquake,” she said.

Meanwhile, fisherman and tourists are ordered to distance themselves about 2 kilometers from Anak Krakatau Mountain “The intensity yesterday reached 758. We predict the intensity today will be the same,” the authority at Monitoring Post in Anak Krakatau Mountain in Hargopancuran, Rajabasa, South Lampung, Andi Suardi, said on Monday.

He added, the status has been alert since January 26. The intensity of the earthquake is still fluctuating and could reach hundreds time a day. Nugroho 

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