In the early hours of September 19, 2025, the usually quiet town of Nabire in Central Papua, Indonesia, was jolted awake by a powerful earthquake that sent tremors across the region and left a trail of disruption in its wake. According to the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the magnitude 6.6 quake struck at 3:19 a.m. local time (UTC+9), its epicenter located approximately 29 kilometers northwest of Nabire City at a depth of 24 kilometers. Meanwhile, other agencies, including the U.S. Geological Survey and the German Research Center for Geosciences (GFZ), recorded the event with slightly differing magnitudes and epicenter locations, but all agreed on the quake’s intensity and the depth of about 10 kilometers.
Residents of Nabire and neighboring towns were shaken from their sleep as the ground rumbled beneath them. "People ran from houses or to higher ground when the quake occurred," explained Abdul Muhari, spokesperson for Indonesia’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency, in a statement reported by AP. For many, the memory of past tragedies was never far from mind. This same town had suffered deadly earthquakes in 2004—one in February that claimed 30 lives and another in November that took 32 more. The fear was palpable, but this time, the outcome was less catastrophic.
Despite the strength of the earthquake, there was some relief: the BMKG confirmed that the quake did not trigger a tsunami. "There was no danger of a tsunami as the earthquake was centered in land," the agency reported, as cited by Reuters and AP. Still, the seismic event was followed by a series of aftershocks, ranging in magnitude from 2.6 to 4.2, continuing until at least 4:05 a.m. local time, keeping nerves on edge throughout the early morning hours.
The physical toll was significant. According to Suharyanto, chief of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency, "At least two houses and the main bridge in the town of Nabire in Central Papua province collapsed." Minor damage was reported to a government office, a church, and the local airport. While the destruction was evident, there was a collective sigh of relief as no casualties were immediately reported. "Overall, the situation is safe and under control," Suharyanto reassured the public in a video message broadcast by AP and Reuters.
Yet, the quake’s impact extended beyond crumbled infrastructure. The West Papua regional office of state-owned telecommunications provider TelkomGroup reported that the earthquake disrupted internet services in the Nabire, Botawa, and Enarotali regions of Central Papua. The disruption was not a simple technical glitch; a landslide triggered by the quake had damaged the land-based fiber-optic cable, complicating efforts to restore vital communication links. "The earthquake, centered 24 kilometers northwest of Nabire on Friday morning, disrupted TelkomGroup’s services in the Nabire, Botawa, and Enarotali regions," General Manager Eric Tobing explained in a written statement, as reported by ANTARA. "We apologize for the inconvenience and ask for your prayers and support during the recovery process."
Engineers sprang into action, working tirelessly to restore connectivity. Their efforts included attempts to reconnect the critical Kigamani–Timika internet line, a lifeline for government services and everyday communication in the region. The work was made all the more urgent by the fact that telecommunication networks in Nabire and several other towns had been cut off temporarily, leaving many residents isolated at a time when information was most needed.
The quake’s reverberations were felt well beyond the immediate area. According to the German Research Center for Geosciences (GFZ), a magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck Indonesia's West Papua region at a depth of 10 kilometers on the same day. While the numbers varied slightly among agencies—BMKG, USGS, and GFZ—the consensus was clear: this was a significant seismic event in a region all too familiar with the earth’s unpredictable power.
Indonesia, a sprawling archipelago of more than 280 million people, sits atop the Pacific Ring of Fire—a horseshoe-shaped belt known for its seismic volatility, with frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The country is home to 127 active volcanoes, and its position along major tectonic fault lines makes it one of the most earthquake-prone places on Earth. For the people of Papua, this reality is woven into daily life, shaping everything from building codes to emergency preparedness drills.
The memory of past disasters looms large. In 2004, Nabire was devastated twice by deadly quakes. The scars of those tragedies have prompted improvements in disaster response, and this time, authorities were quick to act. Emergency teams assessed the damage, cleared debris, and provided support to affected families. Local officials coordinated closely with national agencies to ensure that aid reached those in need, and engineers worked around the clock to repair vital infrastructure.
For many residents, the most immediate concern was the loss of communication. With internet and phone lines down, families struggled to check on loved ones and access information. The disruption also affected local businesses, government operations, and schools, highlighting just how dependent modern life has become on digital connectivity. Engineers faced a daunting task: not only did they need to repair damaged cables, but they also had to contend with unstable terrain and the risk of further aftershocks.
As the sun rose over Nabire, the full extent of the damage became clear. The main bridge—a crucial link for transportation and commerce—had collapsed, forcing residents to find alternative routes. Two homes lay in ruins, and several public buildings bore the scars of the quake. Yet, amidst the destruction, there was a sense of resilience. Neighbors helped one another clear debris, local officials set up temporary shelters, and aid organizations began distributing food and supplies.
In the broader context, Indonesia’s vulnerability to earthquakes is both a challenge and a call to action. The government has invested heavily in early warning systems, public education campaigns, and infrastructure upgrades, but the events in Nabire serve as a stark reminder that nature’s power can never be fully tamed. As General Manager Eric Tobing put it, "We apologize for the inconvenience and ask for your prayers and support during the recovery process." His words echoed the sentiments of many in the region—gratitude for safety, sorrow for the losses, and hope for swift recovery.
By late Friday, engineers had made progress in restoring connectivity, and emergency teams continued to assess the situation. The people of Nabire, though shaken, began to pick up the pieces and look ahead. In a region where earthquakes are a fact of life, resilience is not just a virtue—it’s a necessity.
With the main bridge down and communications only partially restored, daily routines were upended. Yet, the community’s swift response and the absence of casualties offered a glimmer of hope. As the aftershocks faded and life slowly returned to normal, Nabire stood as a testament to the enduring spirit of those who call Indonesia’s earthquake-prone lands home.
