Bali Shaken by Earthquake

Bali Shaken by 6.8 Earthquake on Thursday, October 13 and 11 Aftershocks. Post Quake Round Up of Earthquake-Related News from Bali.

(10/13/2011)

An earthquake measured at 6.8 on the Richter scale shook all of South Bali at 11:16 a.m. on Thursday, October 13, 2011 and was followed by at least 11 aftershocks during the ensuing afternoon and evening.

 

According to the Bali chief of the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), Wayan Surardana, the strongest aftershock hit the island at 3:52 p.m. local time measuring 5.6 on the Richter scale.

The epicenters of the series of earthquakes were located in an area approximately 150 kilometers off the southern coast of Bali.

None of the series of seismic events was considered to pose a threat of tsunami.

A round up of the latest earthquake–related news from Bali:

  • The Carrefour Supermarket on the Sunset Road in Kuta sustained large cracks on its exterior walls with roofing tile also shaking loose and falling to the ground. The popular shopping center was closed on Thursday afternoon to allow management to survey the damage to the building.
  • A small office complex, not far from the Bali International Medical Center Hospital (BIMC) at Simpang Siur, was damaged. Falling debris at the building  crushed a parked car in front of the building.
  • When the initial earthquake occured, the BIMC Hospital took the precautionary step of temporarily evacuating all patients from the hospital.
  • The office of a cellular operator – XL Center on Jalan Sunset in Kuta is reported to have suffered “significant damage.”
  • Local telecommunication providers report a 40% surge in SMS and telephone calls in the ten mintes immiedately after the initial earthquake.
  • Roofing tiles showered the surrounding parking areas at the Kasih Ibu Hospital on Jalan Teuku Umar in downtown Denpasar and the Kentucky Fried Chicken outlet on Jalan Gatot Subroto Barat.
  • One person is reported to be in a coma at the Sanglah General Hospital in Denpasar, believed to be a casualty from a junior high school in Denpasar damaged by the quake. 45 student and 1 teacher were injured by falling debris at the SMK Negeri 2 in Denpasar with 3 requiring hospitalization.
  • In all, according to the Bali Post, a total of around 60 people have been hospitalized at 3 hospitals, with 46 warded at the Sanglah General Hospital for injuries connected with the earthquake. Most these victims are from two Denpasar schools where falling debris struck the children and teachers.
  • A car rental company at Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport was damaged by the initial earthquake. A total of 40 points of minor damage were recorded to various structures at the airport.
  • The earthquake did not significantly disrupt scheduled flight operations at Bali Ngurah Rai International Airport, although officials say passengers standing in line during the boarding process panicked and momentarily sought refuge when the eathquake first shook the airport building.
  • Following the initial earthquake, a number of schools in Bali sent their pupil home early as a means of alleviating emotional trauma suffered by the children resulting from the initial quake.
  • The Bali chapter of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI-Bali) reports that a few guests form member hotels chose to move from multi-storey hotels to smaller, single story bungalows following Thursday’s earthquake. The PHRI also confirms that none of its member hotels suffered significant damage in connection with the quake or its aftershocks.
  • The Bali Hotels Association (BHA) has issued a statement affirming that all its member hotels reported no injuries or major structural damage in connection with the earthquake. Shortly after the initial earthquake, an emergency BHA communication center went into operation that updated hotels on the developing situation and actively monitored any potential tsunami threat.
  • Shortly after the quake, government authorities ruled the earthquake had no potential for the creation of a tsunami.
  • The Denpasar Disaster Relief Center’s preliminary count shows 19 buildings were damaged by the earthquake, including 8 schools, the provincial House of Representatives (DPRD-Bali), The Alam Puri Museum in Penatih, a fire station on Jalan Juanda, one hospital and six private residences. Damage was generally confined to roofing materials and cracked walls.

Bali’s Earthquake History

A list of Bali’s earthquake history compiled by the Bali Post show the following events and the estimated loss of life:

  • Gejer Bali Earthquake of 1815 15.000 dead
  • Buleleng Earthquake of 1862 - fatalities unclear
  • Jembrana Earthquake of 1890 - fatalities unclear
  •  Bali Earthquake of 1917 1.500 dead
  • Seririt Earthquake of 1976 - 560 dead
  • Karangasem Earthquake of 1979 – No deaths
  • Karangasem Earthquake II of 1979 - 24 dead
  • Karangasem Earthquake of 2004 – No deaths
  • Nusa Dua Earthquake of 2010 – No deaths
  • Nusa Dua Earthquake of October 13, 2011 - No deaths Reported

Source: Bali Discovery

Category:  General