A local source told AFP that the earthquake that shook Java, the largest island in Indonesia, on Monday has claimed at least 44 lives.
“There have been numerous fatalities. Numerous hundreds, if not thousands, of homes have been damaged. 44 people have died so far, “Adam, who like many Indonesians goes by one name, spoke to AFP on behalf of the local government in Cianjur, West Java.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the magnitude 5.6 quake was centered in the Cianjur region in West Java province at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles).
It killed at least 44 people and injured many others, National Disaster Mitigation Agency chief Suharyanto said. Dozens of buildings were damaged, including an Islamic boarding school, a hospital and other public facilities, the agency said.
The quake was felt strongly in the greater Jakarta area. High rises in the capital swayed and some were evacuated.
“The quake felt so strong. My colleagues and I decided to get out of our office on the ninth floor using the emergency stairs,” said Vidi Primadhania, an employee in South Jakarta.
