Indonesian tremor injures dozens, damages buildings

By Saadet Gokce

ISTANBUL (AA) - Buildings were damaged and at least 36 people were injured after a 5.8-magnitude earthquake struck south of Indonesia’s Java Island early Friday, according to the state-run news agency Antara.

The magnitude was measured at 6.2 by Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG).

The quake occurred after 1 a.m. local time (1806 GMT) on Thursday, south of Java Island, originating at a depth of 58.4 kilometers, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).

Erwin Andriatmoko, head of Pacitan’s disaster agency (BPBD), reported at least 15 homes damaged to varying degrees by Friday midday.

“Data is still being collected from all districts,” he said.

Bantul BPBD identified at least 20 damaged buildings and recorded 36 injuries across several subdistricts.

BMKG’s Earthquake and Tsunami Director Daryono told reporters that the quake had a thrusting mechanism typical of subduction megathrust zones along southern Java.