Indonesia: A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck the Molucca Sea off Indonesia’s Ternate island, leaving at least one person dead and several others injured, while briefly triggering tsunami warnings across the region.
The quake hit at 06:48 local time at a depth of 35km, according to seismic authorities. A tsunami alert issued shortly after the tremor was lifted within two hours after officials confirmed no significant wave activity.
A 70-year-old woman in North Sulawesi died after being crushed by falling debris, while another individual suffered a broken leg after jumping from a building during the chaos, as reported by Indonesia’s national news agency.
Residents across affected areas described scenes of panic as buildings shook violently. Many said it was among the strongest earthquakes they had experienced in years. In Manado, journalist Isvara Safitri said the tremor lasted several seconds, shaking furniture and leaving her feeling dizzy.
In Bitung, market-goer Yayuk Oktiani said the shaking caused power outages in several shops, prompting people to flee. Yayuk Oktiani rushed to her child’s school near the coast, where teachers quickly dismissed students with fears of a tsunami. In Ternate, resident Budi Nurgianto described walls vibrating for over a minute as people rushed outside in panic.
The epicentre was located roughly between Manado and Ternate, affecting parts of Sulawesi and North Maluku provinces. Authorities reported damage to buildings and injuries, though the full extent remains unclear.
Emergency footage from Manado showed rescue teams navigating debris at a damaged sports complex, with scattered furniture and bent metal structures highlighting the quake’s intensity. At least two aftershocks, measuring 5.5 and 5.2 in magnitude, followed the main quake, with officials warning that further tremors are possible.
Hospitals in affected areas quickly moved patients outdoors as a precaution. At Siloam Hospital in Manado, staff set up temporary treatment zones in open spaces and vehicles. Indonesia sits along the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire,’ making it highly prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity.
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