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Indonesia earthquake kills at least 50, injures hundreds and destroys homes

JAKARTA, Nov 21 – A 5.6-magnitude earthquake shook Indonesia’s capital Jakarta for several seconds on Monday, the Meteorological and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) said.

The quake’s epicenter was on land in Cianjur, West Java, about 75 km southeast of Jakarta, and at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles), the BMKG said, adding that there was no potential for a tsunami.

Some people evacuated offices in Jakarta’s central business district, while others reported feeling buildings shake and seeing furniture move, Reuters witnesses said.

Muchlis, who was in Cianjur when the quake struck, said he felt “huge tremors” and the walls and ceiling of his office building were damaged.

“I was very shocked. I was afraid there would be another earthquake,” Muchlis told the Metro TV news channel, adding that people were running out of their houses, some fainting and vomiting due to the strong tremor.

Speaking to reporters at Parliament House, BMKG chief Dwikorita Karnawati advised people to stay outside in case of aftershocks.

BMKG’s Suko Prayitno Adi said authorities were examining the extent of the damage caused by the earthquake.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) recorded an earthquake measuring 5.4 on the Richter scale.

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