english.jpnn.com, NUSA TENGGARA TIMUR - A 7.5-magnitude earthquake rocked the Flores Sea, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), on Tuesday (14/12) and had the potential to trigger a tsunami threatening five provinces.
The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) said a potential tsunami could hit the provinces of NTT, Maluku, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), South Sulawesi, and North Sulawesi.
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Head of Kupang Geophysics Station, Margiono, said Tuesday's earthquake occurred at a depth of 12 kilometers with a distance of 112 kilometers northwest of Larantuka.
The vibrations reached Makassar City and Selayar Islands Regency, South Sulawesi.
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Margiono urged residents in potentially affected areas to move to safer places to avoid the threat of a tsunami.
"The BMKG asks local administrations that are on alert status to immediately direct the community to evacuate," said Margiono.
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The BMKG stated that an aftershock with a magnitude of 5.5 occurred in the Flores Sea, about 129 kilometers northwest of Maumere, after the main earthquake on Tuesday.
The aftershock did not have the potential to cause a tsunami, but residents in the areas around the epicenter are advised to remain vigilant. (antara/lia/mcr20/jpnn)
This news has been broadcast on JPNN.com with the title: Gempa 7,5 SR Guncang Flores NTT, Potensi Picu Tsunami di 5 Provinsi, Waspada