JAKARTA – A powerful 7.4-magnitude undersea earthquake struck the Molucca Sea early Thursday morning, sparking panic across eastern Indonesia and claiming at least one life.
Fatalities and Casualties
The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) confirmed the death of a 70-year-old woman in the Minahasa district of North Sulawesi.
In the provincial capital of Manado, at least two residents were reported injured, including one individual who suffered a fractured leg after jumping from a second-story window in a state of panic. Search and rescue teams are currently conducting door-to-door assessments in remote coastal villages, though no missing persons have been officially reported.
Tsunami and Regional Impact
The earthquake, which struck at a depth of 35 kilometers, initially prompted the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center to flag potential hazards for Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia.
Wave Heights: Tide gauges recorded waves of 75 cm in North Minahasa and 30 cm in West Halmahera.
International Reach: The Philippines reported minor sea-level fluctuations of approximately 5 cm in Davao.
Japan’s Meteorological Agency issued a "tsunami forecast" for its Pacific coast, though no damage was expected or recorded.
Structural Damage
The impact was most severe in the cities of Manado, Bitung, and Ternate.
Healthcare: Siloam Hospital in Manado saw significant cracking in its upper floors, forcing staff to treat patients in outdoor makeshift areas.
Infrastructure: A major sports complex in Manado suffered partial roof collapses, while a church on Batang Dua Island was reported damaged.
Residential: Preliminary data shows at least two houses in South Ternate were destroyed, with many others reporting cracked walls and shattered glass.
Geological Warning
BMKG (Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency) has recorded at least two significant aftershocks measuring above 5.0 magnitude. Residents have been urged to remain cautious of weakened structures and to avoid coastal cliffs due to the risk of landslides.
"The shaking lasted for nearly 20 seconds and felt significantly stronger than previous quakes in this sector," said Marten Mandagi, a resident of Bitung.
Quick Facts & SEO Meta
| Detail | Information |
| Magnitude | 7.4 (Initially reported as 7.8) |
| Epicenter | Molucca Sea (120km from Ternate) |
| Death Toll | 1 Confirmed |
| Injuries | 2 Significant |
| Status | Tsunami Alert Lifted |
https://thereporter24.com/news/7-4-magnitude-earthquake-hits-northern-indonesia-tsunami-warnings-lifted-after-minor-waves
No comments: