Surabaya. An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.1 rocked several areas in East Java, including Tuban and Gresik Regencies, as well as Surabaya City. As a result of the tremors, several infrastructure buildings on Bawean Island suffered severe damage, but fortunately, no casualties have been reported so far.

Among the damaged infrastructures on Bawean Island, the As Sholihin Muhammadiyah Mosque in Kotakusuma Village, Sangkapura District, was significantly affected. The mosque's walls cracked, and parts of it collapsed due to the earthquake.

Local resident Kikin said the mosque, which was damaged by the earthquake, is no longer functional. Hence, there were no casualties as the building debris fell.

"That mosque is an old building that was affected. It is no longer used for prayers and worship because there is already a new mosque being built," he explained on Friday.

Additionally, in Sangkapura District, one of the banks on Bawean Island also experienced damage. There were cracks in the walls of the ATM room. Several residents rushed out of their homes, and the windows of Sangkapura High School also sustained damage due to the earthquake.

Moreover, items in several stores on Bawean Island fell from shelves due to the earthquake, causing panic among residents.

In Kumalasa Village, Sangkapura District, Bawean Island, a worshiper sustained injuries after the Friday prayers due to the earthquake. The victim was struck by falling debris from the cracked ceramic columns of the mosque.

Furthermore, in Tambak District, Bawean Island, a house experienced cracks in Telukjatidawang Village.

"The earthquake sounded like a plane passing overhead, rumbling like that," said local resident Nor Toatillah of Sukaoneng Village.

A tectonic earthquake measuring M6.0, occurred 132 km northeast of Tuban, with a shallow depth of only 10 km. The earthquake occurred twice, around 11:22 a.m. Jakarta time and 12:25 p.m. Jakarta time.

According to The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) data, the earthquake does not pose a tsunami threat.

However, many people were frightened as the earthquake tremors were strongly felt. Consequently, residents ran out of their homes. The first earthquake was recorded at 11:22 a.m., followed by a magnitude 3.3 aftershock at 11:56 a.m.

"Employees and visitors inside the Public Service Mall (MPP) all went outside because of fear of the earthquake," said Endah Nurul Komariyati, Head of the Investment and Integrated One-Stop Service Agency (DPMPTSP) of Tuban Regency.

However, Endah added that luckily, the MPP employees had previously conducted disaster simulations. "They didn't panic too much because we have had simulations. From the third floor, everyone went down the stairs and walked out of the building to the yard," she added.

Meanwhile, Tuban resident Tohar also felt the earthquake tremors. Seeing everything shaking, he immediately went outside. "I was scared earlier. Suddenly, my body felt imbalanced and as if it was going to collapse. Moreover, the items inside were also shaking," he said.

In a separate location, the Head of BMKG Tuban Zem Irianto Padama confirmed that the earthquake in Tuban was felt in Surabaya, Semarang, Jepara, and Bawean. "In Tuban itself, the earthquake was quite noticeable for about 20 to 30 seconds," he concluded.

Observations by Beritasatu.com found police officers at the East Java Regional Police Headquarters rushing out of the building. They feared that the earthquake would worsen. The same was observed for journalists at the Press Hall, Public Relations Division of East Java Regional Police, who hurriedly left the room to save themselves.
 

Add as a preferred source on Google +