Magnitude 6.4 Earthquake Shakes North Sumatra, Felt in Aceh

A powerful magnitude 6.4 earthquake jolted Simalungun Regency in North Sumatra on Saturday afternoon, August 15, 2026, at approximately 5:57 PM Western Indonesian Time. The tremor originated at a depth of 163 kilometers, with its epicenter located about 10 kilometers southeast of Simalungun.

The earthquake's impact was felt across a wide area, including parts of Aceh province. Residents in Meulaboh, West Aceh Regency, described experiencing panic, with Sovi, a resident of Suak Ribee Village, stating that she and her children evacuated their home due to the shaking. "We were quite panicked during the earthquake earlier, my children and I ran out of the house because we were afraid of the earthquake's sway," she said.

The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) confirmed the earthquake's parameters, noting its significant magnitude and depth. Crucially, BMKG stated that the earthquake did not pose a tsunami risk. As of the latest reports, there have been no official updates regarding any casualties or damage resulting from the seismic event.