Eastern Indonesia Hit by Powerful Quake, at Least Three Dead and Dozens Injured

Indonesia, a vast archipelago of more than 270 million people, is frequently hit by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis because of its location on the so-called "Ring of Fire", an arc of seismic faults around the Pacific Basin.

On Wednesday, November 22, a series of powerful and shallow earthquakes shook the eastern side of Indonesia, with no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

The latest quakes in the Banda Sea

(Photo : OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images)

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said that a magnitude 6.9 earthquake hit an area 341 kilometers (211 miles) southwest of Tual, a coastal town in Maluku province, at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles).

It was followed by another 7.0 magnitude quake in the same area and two 5.1 magnitude aftershocks.

Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) said there was no potential danger of a tsunami but warned of possible aftershocks.

Villagers in the Tanimbar Islands, a sparsely populated island chain in the Banda Sea, reported strong tremors for a few minutes but there was no panic, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency's (BNPB) spokesperson Abul Muhari said in a statement.

He said the epicenter of the quakes was near the Tanimbar Islands, with a population of about 127,000.

The Banda Sea is a part of the Pacific Ocean that lies between the islands of Sulawesi, Timor, Maluku and Papua. It is one of the deepest seas in the world, with an average depth of about 7,000 meters (23,000 feet).

The sea floor is dotted with active volcanoes and submarine mountains that form part of the "Ring of Fire".

Also Read: 6.3 Magnitude Earthquake in Philippines: No Casualties, Major Damage Reported

The challenges of disaster management in Indonesia

Indonesia has a long history of devastating natural disasters, especially earthquakes and tsunamis.

In 2004, a 9.1 magnitude Indian Ocean quake set off a tsunami that killed more than 230,000 people in a dozen countries, most of them in Indonesia's Aceh province.

In 2018, a 7.5 magnitude quake and a subsequent tsunami in Sulawesi killed about 4,340 people and displaced more than 170,000. And in 2019, a 6.9 magnitude quake in Java killed at least 331 people and injured nearly 600.

The country has been trying to improve its disaster management system, with the establishment of the BNPB in 2008 and the adoption of a national disaster management plan in 2010.

The plan aims to reduce disaster risks, enhance preparedness and response capacities, and promote recovery and rehabilitation.

The BNPB also coordinates with local governments, civil society organizations, and international partners to provide humanitarian assistance and support to the affected communities.

However, there are still many challenges and gaps in the implementation of the plan, such as the lack of resources, infrastructure, and personnel, the uneven distribution of disaster risk information and early warning systems, the low level of public awareness and participation, and the complex coordination and communication mechanisms among various stakeholders.

Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has added another layer of difficulty and complexity to the disaster management efforts, as the health and safety protocols have to be followed while providing relief and recovery services.

Indonesia's "Ring of Fire" is a source of both beauty and danger, as it creates stunning landscapes and rich biodiversity, but also poses constant threats of natural disasters.

The country needs to continue to strengthen its resilience and adaptability to cope with the frequent earthquakes and other hazards, while also ensuring the well-being and dignity of its people.