Indonesia: Magnitude-4.9 earthquake occurs offshore in the Indian Ocean near Bengkulu Province, Feb. 22

Event

A magnitude-4.9 earthquake occurred offshore of Bengkulu, Indonesia at around 0410 Feb. 22. The epicenter was about 66 km (41 miles) southwest of Bengkulu. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 42 km (26 miles), and light shaking was probably felt through Bengkulu, South Sumatra, and Lampung provinces . There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Aftershocks are possible.

Officials may temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to check for damage. Minor disruptions could occur during shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if no damage is found. Utility outages are possible, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter.

Advice

Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Consider vacating multistory buildings if operating in affected areas until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Allow additional time for air and road travel, as aftershocks may prompt brief disruptions. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected region due to potential landslides.