Earthquake Damages Schools and Homes in Sumba, Indonesia
A moderate earthquake struck Sumba, Indonesia, causing damage to an elementary school and homes. One minor injury reported; no tsunami risk confirmed.
KODI, Indonesia — A moderate earthquake jolted the Kodi region of Southwest Sumba in Indonesia's East Nusa Tenggara province early Sunday morning, damaging schools and residential properties. The seismic event, which struck at 5:55 a.m. local time (WIB), sent residents fleeing from their homes as tremors reached an intensity of VI on the Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) scale.
Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) pinpointed the epicenter 14 kilometers southwest of Kodi at a coordinate of 9.70 South Latitude and 118.92 East Longitude. While the shaking was strong enough to crack walls and damage infrastructure, authorities officially confirmed that the quake posed no tsunami threat to the island.
Extensive Structural Impact
Teguh Rahayu, a senior official overseeing engineering seismology at the BMKG, confirmed that the primary damage is concentrated in the Perokonda area. "The damage occurred in the Perokonda region, specifically at an Islamic elementary school and two residential homes," Rahayu said during a press briefing.
The intensity varied across the region, spanning from IV to VI on the MMI scale. In areas experiencing level IV, residents reported rattling windows and shifting household items. Closer to the epicenter, where level VI intensity was recorded, the impact was more severe. Reports indicate that plaster fell from interior walls, and structural integrity in older buildings was compromised, causing widespread alarm among the local population.
Casualties and Recovery Efforts
Authorities have confirmed that one person sustained minor injuries during the incident. Emergency responders and local government agencies are currently conducting site assessments to determine the full extent of the damage to public facilities, particularly the Islamic elementary school in Perokonda.
The uncertainty regarding the safety of the school structure has raised immediate concerns for the continuity of local education. As of Sunday, officials have not yet issued a decision on whether the facility will face a temporary closure for emergency repairs or if operations can resume shortly.
Regional Seismic Risks
This event underscores the inherent vulnerability of Southwest Sumba, which sits atop an active tectonic zone. The depth and location of Sunday’s quake contributed to the wide reach of the tremors, which disrupted the peace of a quiet Sunday morning and left residents in a state of unease.
The BMKG is urging local government authorities and communities to prioritize seismic preparedness. This includes intensifying evacuation drills and enforcing stricter building standards to ensure structures can better withstand future seismic events. Data from the agency’s technical team is being shared with local disaster mitigation units to guide ongoing emergency response and recovery efforts in the affected districts.
