This morning, a 5.0-magnitude earthquake shook the Bandung area on Wednesday, September 18. As a result, several trips via the Whoosh Fast Train were delayed.
BMKG reported the earthquake occurred at 9:41 WIB and noted that the epicentre was located about 24 kilometres southeast of Bandung Regency and 21 kilometres southwest of Garut Regency.
PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (KCIC) apologized for passengers’ travel delays caused by the earthquake.
KCIC Corporate Communication Manager Emir Monti said that officers are currently conducting an in-depth investigation into the condition of Whoosh’s facilities and infrastructure in connection with the earthquake.
“We apologize for the delay in departure of Whoosh with trip numbers G1221 (Halim), G1223 (Padalarang), and G1224 (Tegalluar Summarecon), which are currently awaiting the results of checks by officers for safety reasons,” Emir Monti said as reported by CNN Indonesia.
The following is a list of a number of cancelled Whoosh travel schedules:
Halim – Tegalluar route
1. Train G1223 departure 09.47
2. Train G1225 departure 10.20
3. G1227 train departure 10.55
4. Train G1269 departure 11.30
5. KA G1229 departure 12.00
6. KA G1231 departure 13.02
7. KA G1233 departure 14.02
Tegalluar – Halim route
1. Train G1224 departure 09.47
2. Train G1226 departure 10.20
3. G1228 train departure 10.55
4. G1230 train departure 12.00
5. G1232 train departure 13.00
6. KA G1274 departure 13.30
7. KA G1234 departure 14.00
Based on the BMKG’s temporary seismological analysis, the earthquake has no tsunami potential.
However, the public is urged to remain calm and not be influenced by issues that cannot be accounted for until BMKG reports the results of a comprehensive event analysis.
Bandung Earthquake Caused by Garsela Fault
BMKG Head of Earthquake and Tsunami Center Daryono said the Garsela Fault triggered a series of shallow earthquakes in Bandung.
The existence of the Garsela Fault activity in West Java, said Daryono, has a downward shear movement source mechanism.
As Kompas.com reported, the Garsela Fault, or South Garut Fault, is one of the active faults in the southern part of West Java.
This fault has a structure extending 42 km from the south of Garut to the south of Bandung. There are two segments of the Garsela fault: the Rakutai segment (north) along 19 km and the Kencana segment (south) along 17 km.