The epicenter of the earthquake was located 10 km underground southwest of the Cianjur region in West Java province at a depth of 6.2 miles, according to the US Geological Survey.

The tremor was felt in Cianjur, Garut, Sukabumi, Cimahi, Lembang, Bandung, Cikalong Wetan, Rangkasbitung, Bogor, and Bayah, the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) said.

Many people were hurt because they were hit by collapsed buildings with some residents trapped in the rubble, local sources reported.

An Islamic boarding school, a hospital, and other public facilities were damaged in the quake.

Indonesia is located in the Pacific Ring of Fire and situated at the joining point of four major world tectonic plates, which makes it particularly vulnerable to earth tremors. (ILKHA)