Talamau sub-district suffered severe damage during a 6.1-magnitude earthquake that struck West Pasaman District, West Sumatra, on Friday, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) reported.

Citing the Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency’s report, acting head of the BNPB’s Disaster Data, Information and Communication Center, Abdul Muhari, said the strong tremor in West Pasaman District lasted for 3 to 5 seconds.

The shock was also felt in Pasaman District, triggering panic and forcing people to leave their homes, he informed in a written statement received here on Friday.

Some of the buildings, including educational facilities and residents’ homes, were damaged in the quake, he said. The BNPB is still working with the regional agency to map the damage caused by the quake, he added.

In Limapuluh Kota District, residents said they felt the tremors for 2–5 seconds. There were reports of damage to homes in two sub-districts, Bukit Barisan and Gunung Ameh, he informed.

The agency is still trying to verify the information, he added.

Other areas, such as Agam district, Padang Pariaman, and Pariaman, were also affected by the quake. The Agam Disaster Mitigation Agency said that the strong quake lasted for 3–4 seconds, causing residents to panic and flee their homes.

Similar reports were received from Padang Pariaman and Pariaman disaster mitigation agencies. Padang Pariaman residents said the strong earthquake lasted for 2–5 seconds, while in Pariaman City, residents said it persisted for 3 to 4 seconds.

The Padang Disaster Mitigation Agency reported a small tremor lasting 1 to 3 seconds. However, some residents reportedly panicked and left their homes, Muhari noted. The same situation was reported in the Mentawai Islands district.

The epicenter of the earthquake was located 17 km northeast of West Pasaman, West Sumatra, at a depth of 10 km, he informed. Based on the Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) scale, the earthquake in Pasaman was MMI scale V; Agam, Bukit Tinggi, and Padang Panjang MMI IV of; Padang, Payahkumbuh, Aek Godang, and Gunung Sitoli MMI III; South Coast, Rantau Parapat, South Nias, and Rank MMI II, he informed.

Muhari urged everyone to remain cautious and remain prepared for aftershocks. The agency also warned residents of hoaxes that might cause panic.

Source: Antara News