Strong Earthquake Strikes Off the Coast of West Java, Indonesia

Officers inspect houses affected by the earthquake in Garut Regency, West Java, early Sunday (4/28/2024) morning. (ANTARA/HO-Polres Garut)

Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has reported a 6.5 magnitude,  earthquake centered in the waters south of West Java.

The earthquake occurred on Saturday (4/27) at 23:29 Jakarta time with a depth of 10 kilometers. The epicenter was located at 8.42 degrees south latitude and 107.26 degrees east longitude.

The epicenter of the earthquake was situated 151 kilometers southwest of Garut Regency, West Java.

"BMKG officially declares that the earthquake does not have the potential to generate a tsunami," stated the BMKG official statement quoted in Jakarta on Saturday.

Read also: Indonesian Authorities Seize Illegal Fishing Vessel Flying Malaysian Flag in Malacca Strait

The agency has reported that the tectonic earthquake was triggered by the deformation of rocks within the Earth's crust.

"This earthquake was triggered by the deformation of rocks within the Indo-Australian plate subducted beneath the Eurasian plate in southern West Java, commonly referred to as an intra-slab earthquake," said the Head of the Earthquake and Tsunami Center of BMKG, Daryono, in a statement in Jakarta on Sunday.

Analysis of the source mechanism indicates that the earthquake had a thrust fault movement. The strong tectonic earthquake was felt throughout Java Island, including Garut, Tangerang, Jakarta, Bandung, Malang, and Sleman.

Star indicates the epicenter of the earthquake.

The 6.5 magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of Garut caused damage to numerous residential homes and public facilities. The Regional Disaster Management Agency reported that a total of 41 houses were damaged, along with one healthcare facility.

The earthquake, which occurred late Saturday night, was felt strongly in the Garut region and caused varying degrees of damage across several districts. Assessments are ongoing to determine the full extent of the damage and the number of injuries.

At least four people have been reported to get injured as of 9.30 local time.

Based on BMKG's monitoring results, no aftershock earthquake activity has been recorded. Subsequent analysis and data review led to the adjustment of its magnitude to 6.2.

Earthquakes are not uncommon in Indonesia, which sits along the Pacific Ring of Fire, known for its frequent seismic and volcanic activity.