Two children die, hundreds injured in 5-magnitude West Java quake

A man walks next to a collapsed house in Kertasari, West Java, after a 5-magnitude earthquake struck on Sept 18, 2024. At least two people died and hundreds were injured in the quake. - AFP

JAKARTA: A four-year old boy identified as Fauzan and a sixth grade elementary school student named Nasywa Syaqira have died after a 5-magnitude earthquake jolted West Java on Wednesday (Sept 18) morning, authorities have reported, with at least 139 others suffering mild to severe injuries.

"Fauzan passed away on Thursday evening at Majalaya General Hospital” in Bandung regency, said West Bandung Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) head Uka Puji Utama on Friday (Sept 20), adding that both Fauzan and his mother had been hit on the head by falling debris.