A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck the Molucca Sea off Indonesia's Ternate island early Thursday, resulting in at least one fatality. The tremor occurred at 06:48 local time at a depth of 35km, causing widespread panic across the North Maluku and North Sulawesi provinces. Authorities reported that a 70-year-old woman in North Sulawesi died after being crushed by building debris, according to the national news agency Antara.
Immediate Impact and Emergency Response
The earthquake triggered immediate chaos in cities such as Manado and Bitung, where residents reported severe shaking and power outages. At Siloam Hospital in Manado, staff and patients were forced to evacuate into makeshift outdoor treatment areas. Search and rescue teams later documented significant damage at a local sports complex, where metallic structures were bent and furniture was displaced.
"It was really strong... My head even felt dizzy," journalist Isvara Safitri told BBC Indonesian, noting that the roads outside her home were visibly shaking.
In Ternate, residents described a scene of panic as the tremor lasted for over a minute. Budi Nurgianto, a local resident, reported seeing people flee their homes in haste, some without even finishing their morning routines. The national geological agency confirmed building damage and injuries shortly after the event, though specific casualty figures remain limited.
Tsunami Warnings and Regional Risks
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, based in Hawaii, initially issued alerts for several coastal regions. The center warned that tsunami waves of less than 0.3m were possible along the coasts of Japan, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, and Guam. These warnings were officially withdrawn after two hours when no significant waves were detected.
Indonesia is situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire, making it one of the most seismically active regions in the world. While tremors are common, residents in the affected areas described this event as one of the strongest in at least six years. This frequency of high-magnitude events necessitates constant investment in resilient infrastructure and early warning systems.
Geologic Aftermath and Outlook
Following the main shock, the national geological agency recorded at least two aftershocks with magnitudes of 5.5 and 5.2. Officials have warned the public to remain vigilant, as additional tremors are expected in the coming days. The epicenter was located roughly midway between the cities of Manado and Ternate.
Government agencies are now focusing on assessing the full extent of the structural damage to public buildings and residential homes. The event highlights the ongoing vulnerability of the archipelago's coastal cities to sudden seismic shifts. Future monitoring will focus on the stability of the Molucca Sea fault lines to better predict similar events.