Jakarta (ANTARA) - The survivors of last week's earthquake on Bawean Island, East Java, are in need of trauma therapy as many are still experiencing psychological trauma, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) informed here on Monday.
The majority of displaced residents, who are currently taking refuge at temporary shelters, are still experiencing psychological trauma from the earthquake and its aftershocks, the agency's spokesperson, Abdul Muhari, said.
The Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD)-East Java Office reported that the earthquake affected 17,644 Bawean islanders. They comprise 6,277 children, 8,834 adults aged between 17–55, and 2,534 elderly people.
"Our assessment revealed that the displaced residents are taking refuge because of psychological trauma from the aftershocks, not because of their damaged houses," he said.
The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) recorded 149 aftershocks between March 22, 2024, and March 23, following the 6.1-magnitude earthquake in Tuban district, East Java, around 11:22 a.m. local time on March 22.
The epicenter of the quake was located about 132 kilometers northeast of Tuban at a depth of 10 km, while the magnitude of two of the 149 aftershocks was recorded at 5.9 and 6.4.
According to the BMKG, the epicenters of the 5.9 and 6.4 magnitude aftershocks were located about 36 km west of Bawean Island and 126 km from Tuban city.
Muhari said that besides aftershocks, earthquake survivors in Bawean Island are also experiencing psychological trauma due to tsunami rumors circulated by irresponsible people.
The BMKG alone did not issue a tsunami warning following the first quake that jolted Tuban district on March 22. This information was also circulated among the public shortly after the first quake, he pointed out.
Meanwhile, East Java acting governor Adhy Karyoto said earlier that the provincial government has transported logistics for earthquake survivors in Bawean Island.
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On Sunday (March 24), the East Java administration also sent a team of medical personnel and a team of psycho-social workers to help those in need of healthcare and trauma healing services in Bawean Island, he added.
Since Bawean Island is located in the Java Sea, the aid delivery for the quake survivors is not easy to arrange as it depends on the sea state and the availability of vessels, he said.