The Jakarta Post, January 30, 2006
Quake sends Ambon residents fleeing for safety
The Jakarta Post, Ambon, Lampung
An earthquake measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale shook the Maluku islands early
Saturday, sending residents fleeing to higher ground in fear of a tsunami.
There were no reports of injuries or major damage as a result of the quake.
"Everyone fled for higher ground, fearing more quakes. There were also a lot of rumors
about a tsunami," Nur Bachmid, an official in Namaelo subdistrict, Central Maluku
regency, told The Jakarta Post by phone Sunday.
The official said many residents spent Saturday night out in the open wherever they
could find higher ground, before beginning to return to their homes Sunday.
"But I'm sure lots of residents will return to higher ground tonight (Sunday)," he said.
A tsunami caused by a massive earthquake in the Indian Ocean in December 2004
devastated Aceh and parts of North Sumatra, leaving over 100,000 people dead or
missing.
Lili Attamimi, a resident of Bula regency, located at the southern end of Seram island
and directly facing Banda Sea, said the quake sent panicked residents running out of
their homes.
She said a rumor begin spreading among residents that a tsunami was approaching.
"Everyone just ran for higher ground. I even forgot to put on my slippers," she said.
The head of Ambon's Meteorology and Geophysics Agency, Benny Sipollo, told the
Post on Saturday the epicenter of the quake, which struck at 1:58 a.m., was in the
Banda Sea about 121 kilometers southeast of Ambon city, at a depth of 330
kilometers.
"Maluku is prone to earthquakes and people should stay alert. However, it's difficult to
predict (when an earthquake will hit)," he said.
Meanwhile, a magnitude 4.8 earthquake hit Krui in West Lampung on Saturday
morning, sending frightened residents into the streets.
"We're not afraid of the quake, but a tsunami. Especially because the waves have
been very high in Krui recently," said Basuki, a resident.
There were no reports of injuries or damage in the quake.
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