by ERP unit – Karina KWI

A massive earthquake struck Padang, West Sumatera on Wednesday, September 30, 2009, in 17.16 WIB (local time). The 7.6 Richter Scale magnitude shock was felt up to Aceh and Liwa in Lampung province. BMKG (Meteorology, Climate and Geophysics Agency) stated that Padang suffered from 6-7 MMI, while 4 MMI was felt in Sibolga and Gunung Sitoli, 3-4 MMI in Bengkulu, BUkit Tinggi, South Tapanuli, Muko-muko and Liwa, 2-3 MMI in Duri-Riau and Pekan Baru, and 2-3 MMI in Jakarta.

Information gathered from mass media on Wednesday (9/30) stated that around 75 people were killed because of the eartquake . City of Padang, one hour distance from the epicentro, suffered from severe damages; houses collapsed, fires was seen to take place in Padang Market and people’s houses, communication line and electricity were cut off and a bridge was reported collapsed. M. Jamil Hospital, for example, had lost its 2nd floor which was flat to the ground. No casualties have been reported as a result of this situation.

Based on our contact with KOGAMI, it is reported that the evacuation, both personnel and equipment, is needed since some people are still trapped inside buildings. Emergency shelter is needed because people are staying outside their houses and it is raining.