Indonesia Shaken by a Strong Underwater Earthquake, Leading to One Fatality and a Minor Tsunami
An underwater earthquake of substantial power, measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale, rocked northern parts of Indonesia, resulting in the collapse of several buildings, panic-stricken citizens fleeing their homes, the death of one individual, and a minor tsunami.
Following the quake, tide monitors reported waves reaching heights of 30 inches above normal levels approximately half an hour post-earthquake, the epicenter of which was located in the Molucca Sea. The tsunami warning issued by Indonesia's weather and climate agency was withdrawn a few hours after the earthquake. Meanwhile, the country's northern neighbor assured that there was no imminent danger posed to them by this incident.
Widespread Tremors and Damage
Tremors, lasting between 10 to 20 seconds, were felt in both Bitung, located in North Sulawesi province, and Ternate city in the adjacent North Maluku province, as confirmed by the country's disaster control agency.
Early damage assessments revealed a varying degree of damage in certain parts of Ternate, which included a church and a couple of residences. Damage evaluations in Bitung were still in progress, as per the disaster agency's statement.
Casualties and Aftershocks
According to Indonesia's Search and Rescue Agency, a 70-year-old woman tragically lost her life due to a building collapse in Manado city in North Sulawesi, and another resident was injured. In Ternate, at least three individuals suffering from injuries were admitted to hospitals.
These incidents were brought to light through videos shared by the rescue agency, depicting damaged structures and demolished houses. Local TV channels also aired scenes of people hastily exiting their homes and gathering in streets to avoid the danger of collapsing buildings.
In the aftermath of the earthquake, approximately 50 aftershocks were reported in neighboring areas.
Across the Pacific, the Tsunami Warning Center in Honolulu mentioned the potential for small waves in Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Papua New Guinea. However, they assured that there was no threat to Hawaii, Guam, and other more distant islands.
First-Hand Account of the Earthquake
Bitung, a coastal city in North Sulawesi province, experienced a strong impact from the earthquake. Residents were seen rushing out of their houses in panic. One resident, Marten Mandagi, recalled the terrifying moment: "We had just woken up and suddenly the earthquake hit... we all ran out of the house," he said. "The shaking was very strong,"
While Mandagi reported no immediate damage in his area, he stated, "We're still checking whether there is damage or not. But here we are safe, there are no casualties or destruction,".
Indonesia's Seismic Challenges
With a population exceeding 280 million, Indonesia is a vast archipelago that sits on significant seismic faults. Due to its location on the "Ring of Fire," a chain of volcanoes and fault lines in the Pacific Basin, the nation frequently faces earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
In the past, Indonesia has witnessed some deadly seismic activities. Notably, a massive underwater earthquake in the Indian Ocean in 2004 triggered a tsunami that claimed the lives of over 230,000 people in multiple countries, with the majority of the fatalities being in Indonesia's Aceh province.