Indonesia: A 6.4 magnitude earthquake hits the island of Java

The US Institute of Geophysics (USGS) reported that a 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck the Indonesian island of Java on Friday, while residents of the capital, Jakarta, felt the earthquake.

The US Geological Survey reported that the earthquake occurred at 3:52 pm (0852 GMT) at a depth of about five kilometers, and its epicenter was off Bawyan Island on the northeastern coast of Java.

There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries, and no tsunami warning was issued.

The earthquake was felt strongest in East Java, especially in the large city of Surabaya.

“I was at home when the earthquake happened. The shock made us tremble,” explained AFP correspondent in Surabaya Julianus Andre.

“My family and I left the house, as did our neighbors. The shaking continued for more than a minute, and outside I still had the impression that the ground was moving,” he added.

Indonesia experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to its location on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” where tectonic plates collide.

In November 2022, a 5.6-magnitude earthquake struck the island of Java, killing 602 people. Most of them died due to collapsed buildings or landslides caused by the earthquake.

In April 2022, a 6.1-magnitude earthquake occurred off the island of Sumatra, shaking the homes of terrified residents, but without causing any victims or damage.