6.1 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Sumba, Indonesia; Damages Reported
A powerful 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck Kodi, Sumba Barat Daya, on Sunday, causing structural damage to homes and a primary school.
KODI, Indonesia — A powerful 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck the Kodi region of Sumba Barat Daya in East Nusa Tenggara on Sunday morning, Oct. 4, 2026, damaging residential homes and a local primary school. The tremor, which occurred at 5:55 a.m. local time (WIB), sent residents fleeing from their homes as the shockwaves reverberated across the island.
Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) reported the epicenter at 14 kilometers southwest of Kodi, at a shallow depth of 14 kilometers. Authorities confirmed one minor injury among the local population. While no tsunami warning was issued, the intensity of the shaking triggered widespread concern in the region.
Building Damage and Structural Impact
Teguh Rahayu, Director of Engineering Seismology, Potential Geophysics, and Time at the BMKG, stated that the village of Pero Konda sustained the most notable impact. Two residential houses and one Islamic primary school suffered moderate structural damage. According to agency data, the earthquake registered between IV and VI on the Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) scale.
At an intensity of VI MMI, the ground shaking was significant enough to be felt by nearly all inhabitants, causing many to panic and evacuate buildings. This level of intensity often results in cracked walls and fallen plaster, consistent with the reports from the affected area. At the IV MMI level, the shaking was strong enough to rattle windows and doors and crack household ceramics.
Ongoing Response and Monitoring
Following the main tremor, officials recorded a series of smaller aftershocks throughout the morning. The BMKG is maintaining continuous surveillance of seismic activity in the region to provide real-time updates to emergency responders and the public.
Ardhasena Sopaheluwakan, Deputy for Climatology at the BMKG, confirmed that the agency is keeping a close watch on potential aftershocks to ensure public safety. Personnel from the Sumba Timur Geophysics Station and the local Disaster Management Agency have been deployed to the site to conduct damage assessments.
These teams are currently performing structural integrity checks on damaged buildings to determine whether they remain safe for habitation. Emergency officials remain on high alert as they continue to survey the impact of the seismic event across the Sumba Barat Daya district.
