Indonesia quake kills 45, destroys thousands of homes

A 7.7‑magnitude earthquake struck central Indonesia on Thursday afternoon, shaking the city of Purbalingga and the surrounding villages. The tremor, recorded at 13:45 local time, caused widespread collapse of low‑rise buildings and homes, leaving at least 45 people dead and more than 200 injured. Rescue teams are still combing rubble in the town’s main market square, where the quake’s strongest shaking was felt.

Indonesia sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a zone where tectonic plates meet and slip constantly. In the last decade the country has recorded over 200 earthquakes larger than 6.0, and the 7.7‑magnitude shock is one of the strongest in the region since 2018. The depth of the quake, about 35 kilometres below the surface, made it feel intense at the surface, raising concerns about the potential for a tsunami along the coast. The government has activated its emergency response plan and declared a state of emergency for the affected province.

The epicentre was near the border of Central Java and East Java, close to the ancient volcano Mount Merapi. The quake’s shaking lasted roughly 30 seconds, enough to topple poorly built structures and cause landslides in the surrounding hills. Early estimates show that more than 3,000 homes were damaged, and several schools and a local hospital sustained significant structural damage. The Indonesian National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported that 12 aftershocks over magnitude 5.0 have already been felt, with more expected in the coming days.

Prime Minister Prabowo Subianto has called for national unity and urged the public to stay away from damaged buildings. The national army has deployed engineering units to clear debris, while the Indonesian Red Cross is coordinating medical aid. International partners, including Japan and Australia, have offered technical assistance and relief supplies. The focus now is on search and rescue, medical care for the injured, and assessing the risk of further aftershocks. The event underscores Indonesia’s vulnerability to seismic hazards and the need for stronger building codes and emergency preparedness.