A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck the Molucca Sea off Indonesia’s Ternate island early Thursday morning, killing at least one person, injuring others, and sending shockwaves of fear across several coastal communities.
The quake hit at 06:48 local time (22:48 GMT) at a depth of 35 kilometres, with its epicentre located roughly midway between Manado in North Sulawesi and Ternate in North Maluku province. Authorities initially issued tsunami warnings across parts of the Pacific, but these were later lifted after no significant waves were detected.
Indonesia’s national news agency, Antara, confirmed that a 70-year-old woman died in North Sulawesi after being crushed by falling debris. Another individual sustained a broken leg after jumping from a building in panic.
🌊 Tsunami Alert Raised, Then Withdrawn
The Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center had warned that waves of less than 0.3 metres (1 foot) could affect coastlines in Guam, Japan, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, and Taiwan. However, the alert was cancelled about two hours later after the threat subsided.
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😨 Residents Describe Intense Shaking
Although Indonesia frequently experiences seismic activity due to its position along the Pacific Ring of Fire, many residents described Thursday’s tremor as unusually strong.
“It was really strong… my head even felt dizzy,” said journalist Isvara Safitri, who lives in central Manado. She added that even the roads outside her home appeared to shake, calling it the strongest quake she had felt in at least six years.
In Bitung, a coastal city in North Sulawesi, resident Yayuk Oktiani said the shaking began while she was at a local market.
“Everything started shaking… we often feel tremors here, but never as strong as this,” she said.
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As panic spread, shops lost power and people fled into the streets. Oktiani rushed to her child’s school near the coast, where chaotic scenes unfolded.
“Teachers immediately told parents to take their children home, even though they had just arrived,” she said.
🏃 Panic in Ternate
In Ternate, residents described scenes of confusion and fear as buildings shook violently.
“The walls vibrated for what felt like more than a minute,” said resident Budi Nurgianto. “There were many people outside… some even ran out without finishing their showers.”
🏥 Hospitals Evacuated, Rescue Efforts Begin
At Siloam Hospital in Manado, patients and staff were quickly evacuated.
“We were sitting and drinking tea when we heard a child scream, ‘Come down, hurry up,’” recalled Admini, a 69-year-old patient.
Medical teams swiftly set up makeshift treatment areas outdoors and inside vehicles as patients—some in wheelchairs—were assisted to safety.
Footage from search and rescue teams showed damaged structures, including a sports complex in Manado, where debris and twisted metal were scattered across the ground.
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⚠️ Aftershocks and Ongoing Risk
At least two aftershocks, measuring 5.5 and 5.2, were recorded following the main quake. Authorities have warned residents to remain alert, as further tremors are possible.
Indonesia’s geological agency reported damage to buildings and injuries, though a full assessment is still ongoing.
The earthquake serves as a stark reminder of Indonesia’s vulnerability to seismic disasters. While the region is no stranger to earthquakes, many residents say the intensity of this one will not be forgotten anytime soon.
