Earthquake in Aceh, Minister Rismaharini Claims No Reports of Damage

TheIndonesia.co - Indonesian Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini confirmed no reports were received of damage caused by a 6.2 magnitude earthquake on the west coast of Simeulue District, Aceh, Tuesday.

"Not yet, and I hope there was no damage, because if (the source of the earthquake) was at sea, then the impact would not be that big," the minister stated when met after commemorating Tagana's 20th anniversary in North Aceh District, Tuesday evening, as quoted by Antara.

Rismaharini is optimistic that the earthquake would not have a major impact if it is centered at sea.

She also said that the ministry has a special system in place to promptly report on the impact of natural disasters. However, she stated that no reports had been received regarding this matter.

"Thus, usually, there will be a report. However, if there is nothing, then it means they did not feel (the earthquake), so then there will be no report," the minister remarked.

The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) earlier reported that a 6.2 magnitude earthquake had struck the west coast of Simeulue District, Aceh, on Tuesday, at around 7 p.m. local time.

The earthquake was centered at sea, some 95 kilometers northwest of Sinabang-Aceh, at a depth of 22 kilometers.

The latest BMKG analysis results also show that this earthquake has the latest parameters, with a magnitude of 5.9.

The BMKG modeling results also show that the earthquake did not have the potential to trigger a tsunami.