Magnitude 6.5 Earthquake Strikes Off East Java, Causing Damage and Injuries Amidst Regional Tremors

Powerful Quake Hits East Java Coast

A significant magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck off the coast of East Java, Indonesia, late on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at 11:49 p.m. local time. The tremor caused damage to homes and resulted in injuries, prompting residents to flee their properties. The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) reported the epicenter approximately 50 kilometers southeast of Sumenep, Madura Island, at a shallow depth of 11 kilometers.

Impact and Casualties Reported

The earthquake's strong shaking was felt across Madura Island, including in Bangkalan and Situbondo, and extended as far as Bali and West Nusa Tenggara. Initial assessments indicate that multiple homes, particularly on Sepudi Island in Sumenep regency, sustained damage, ranging from moderate to severe. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported that 30 houses, four places of worship, and one health facility were damaged. Additionally, three individuals were reported injured and received treatment at the Gayam Health Center in Sumenep. As a precautionary measure, power was temporarily cut on Sepudi Island.

Regional Seismic Activity and Official Response

The 6.5-magnitude earthquake was part of a series of tremors that rattled Indonesia within the last 24 hours. Other notable seismic events included:

• A magnitude 6.8 quake near the Talaud Islands in North Sulawesi, which did not trigger a tsunami and caused no immediate damage.
• Two quakes in Papua – a magnitude 4.9 in Sarmi and a 2.6 in Jayapura – both shallow but without reported damage.
• A 3.5-magnitude tremor detected off the coast of Garut, West Java.

Following the main 6.5M earthquake, at least five aftershocks were recorded, with magnitudes ranging from 2.7 to 4.3. The BMKG confirmed that there was no tsunami potential from the East Java quake, but urged residents to remain vigilant for possible aftershocks and to follow guidance from local authorities. Emergency teams were deployed to verify damage and check for further casualties.

Indonesia's Position on the 'Ring of Fire'

Indonesia, an archipelago nation, frequently experiences seismic activity due to its location on the Pacific 'Ring of Fire'. This arc of intense seismic activity, where tectonic plates collide, stretches from Japan through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin, making earthquakes a common occurrence in the region.