M5.6 Earthquake Jolts Gayo Lues, Aceh; Tremors Felt in Medan

A magnitude 5.6 earthquake shook Gayo Lues Regency, Aceh, on Wednesday (22/7) at 11:18 AM Western Indonesian Time (WIB). The tremors were also felt by residents in several areas of North Sumatra, including Medan City, causing surprise among some. Head of BMKG Region 1, Hendro Nugroho, stated that the epicenter was located at 4.25 degrees North Latitude and 97.62 degrees East Longitude, approximately 41 kilometers northeast of Gayo Lues Regency, Aceh, at a depth of 10 kilometers. "This earthquake was triggered by the activity of the Great Sumatran Fault or Oreng Segment," Hendro told CNN Indonesia. BMKG recorded the strongest shaking in Gayo Lues with an intensity of V MMI, where vibrations were felt by almost all residents and objects inside houses could shift. Meanwhile, tremors with an intensity of III to IV MMI were felt in Southwest Aceh. "In Medan City, Deliserdang Regency, Sibolga City, and South Aceh, the earthquake was felt at an intensity of III MMI. At this level, vibrations are clearly felt indoors, and it feels like a large truck is passing by," he explained. Hendro added that BMKG recorded at least five aftershocks for a few moments after the main earthquake occurred. However, the largest aftershock had a magnitude of 4.3. "Up to now, there have been five aftershocks with the largest magnitude being 4.3," Hendro said. Despite the tremors reaching Medan, BMKG confirmed that the earthquake did not have the potential to cause a tsunami. The public is also urged to remain calm and not easily believe unverified information. "BMKG continues to monitor the development of aftershock activity and asks the public to follow official information conveyed through BMKG's official channels," he elaborated. In Medan City, several residents reported feeling the tremors for a few seconds. One of them, Wiwin, a resident of Medan Johor, said, "I felt the shaking. At first, I thought it was because I hadn't eaten or was just dizzy. But after seeing the information, it turned out to be an earthquake."