April 02, New Delhi: A 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck the waters off North Sulawesi and North Maluku, Indonesia, early Thursday, causing widespread damage in cities including Bitung, Manado, and Ternate.
Residents reported feeling strong tremors for 10–20 seconds, which damaged furniture, walls, and even caused the collapse of a sports stadium in Manado. One person died from falling debris in Manado, while two others were injured. Many residents sought safety as the quake struck.
Eyewitness reports and videos showed damage to residential homes, offices, churches, and mosques in the affected areas. Indonesia’s Meteorology Agency (BMKG) recorded 11 aftershocks, with the largest measuring around magnitude 5. An initial tsunami warning was issued but later lifted. The US Geological Survey confirmed that the quake occurred at a shallow depth of 35 km in the Molucca Sea, between the Sulawesi and Maluku islands.
Officials urged residents to remain vigilant due to the potential for aftershocks. Coastal communities were advised to evacuate to safer locations and avoid beaches. Authorities emphasized that North Sulawesi, being prone to disasters, has warning systems and evacuation instructions in place to guide residents during emergencies.
Correspondent: Chandani Vasandani