A Miracle Amid the Tremors
Just a few days after a devastating earthquake rocked western Java, Rohmat Kartini, who was deeply pregnant, began feeling the first pangs of labor.
Rohmat and her husband Solihin had narrowly escaped the merciless shaking on Monday (Nov 21). They were forced to trek through debris‑caked roads, muddy lanes, and endless rubble for hours until they reached a makeshift medical camp set up in a tent on an open field.
While the countryside was still reeling from the single 5.6‑magnitude quake that claimed at least 271 lives, the couple celebrated a new addition to their family.
The Happy Twist
- Rohmat and Solihin welcomed their fourth child during a time of destruction.
- Solihin managed to keep his composure, holding the newborn—wrapped snugly in a purple blanket—while speaking about the raw blessings of the day.
- Obstetrician Monica Wulandari recounted that delivering the baby was an extraordinary feat, especially amid aftershocks and scarce medical supplies.
“Perhaps the quake had its own kind of blessing for my wife,” Solihin mused. “Her specialists were top‑notch, the labor went well, the baby came out healthy, and I’m over the moon,” he added, eyes shining with relief and joy.
Why the Disaster Was So Devastating
Indonesia sits in one of the world’s most seismically active zones, with twin faults beneath vast stretches of the Pacific. The Monday quake struck at a blisteringly shallow depth of 10 km, tenderly plucked the earth from densely populated areas, and—worse—citrus‑level construction laxity meant that buildings were no match for the shaking.
More than 160 aftershocks followed, adding to the chaos and straining cramped resources even further.
Takeaway
Even in the harshest circumstances, human resilience shines bright. The tender moment that Rohmat gave birth to her child reminded everyone that life, like hope, can grow in the most unexpected places—on shaky ground or all that remains.
