Strong M6.0 earthquake leaves at least 8 people dead, 1 350 buildings damaged in Java, Indonesia

At least eight people were killed while around 1 350 buildings were damaged after a strong M6.0 earthquake struck near the south coast of Java, Indonesia, at 07:00 UTC on April 10, 2021.

The epicenter was located 45 km (28 miles) SSW of Gongdanglegi Kulon (population 22 468), 45 km (28 miles) S of Sumberpucung (population 35 285), and 148 km (92 miles) S of Surabaya (population 2 374 658).

The USGS reported a depth of 82.3 km (51.1 miles), while EMSC reported 84 km (52 miles).

According to disaster agency spokesman Raditya Jati, eight people had lost their lives while multiple others had sustained injuries. One of the fatalities was a woman who was hit by falling rocks while riding a motorcycle in Lumajang District.

Three of the victims were killed in Malang, while four bodies were retrieved from the rubble in Kali Uling.

About 1 189 homes were damaged, along with 150 public facilities, including hospitals, government offices, and schools, Jati added. Several communities had been evacuated.

"I had just finished praying and was changing my clothes when suddenly the quake struck. It was pretty strong and went for a long time. Everything was swaying," Malang resident Ida Magfiroh told AFP.

The earthquake came on the heels of tropical storm Seroja, which killed more than 200 people in the eastern portion of the archipelago and neighboring East Timor in early April.

Featured image credit: BPBD