Indonesia's Tarakan Hit By 4.8 Magnitude Quake, Buildings Damaged

JAKARTA, Nov 5 (Bernama) -- A 4.8-magnitude earthquake struck the coastal city of Tarakan in North Kalimantan on Wednesday, sending people fleeing from shopping centres as strong tremors shook the area.

The quake, which occurred at 5.37 pm local time, damaged a hospital and facilities at Juwata Tarakan Airport and other buildings, according to Indonesia’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB).

"Preliminary assessments reported two houses severely damaged, two moderately damaged and three shopping centres affected,” BNPB spokesperson Abdul Muhari said in a statement.

Tarakan disaster mitigation agency (BPBD) is still assessing the full extent of the damage, he added.

Residents also reported feeling the tremor for around five seconds, particularly in West Tarakan District and the Karang Rejo and Mamburungan areas.

The BNPB urged the public to remain calm and to refrain from spreading or acting on unverified information.

-- BERNAMA