According to the latest news, there have been 6,234 deaths, while 36,299 people have been injured, 135,000 houses damaged, and an estimated 1.5 million left homeless^[2]. 3,580 of those deaths and more than 1,892 injuries occurred in the area of Bantul, while 1,668 others died in Klaten district.^[3] Around five million people live within 50 km of the epicentre.^[4]

Coastal residents fled inland in fear of a tsunami, but such an event did not transpire. Borobudur, an ancient Buddhist stupa well north of the earthquake area, apparently survived completely intact,^[5] but the Hindu temple at Prambanan which, being located on the city outskirts, is significantly closer to the main earthquake area, suffered substantial damage and was closed for assessment.^[6][7][8] The Royal Graveyard of Imogiri, just east of Bantul, was extensively damaged and has been closed to public access.

Origin

The earthquake is thought to have been tectonic in origin and not directly associated with the ongoing eruption of nearby Mount Merapi, although the earthquake is reported to have caused increased activity in the volcano.^[5] The isle of Java lies on the boundaries of the Australian plate and the Eurasian plate. This position places it on the Ring of Fire and predisposes it to common earthquakes and other tectonic activity. The interaction of the two plates below the surface of the Earth caused this earthquake.