Earthquake Strikes Indonesian Waters

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck the Molucca Sea in Indonesia on Thursday morning, triggering small tsunami waves and causing damage to structures, according to officials. The U.S. Geological Survey reported the quake occurred at a depth of 35 kilometers.

Tsunami Waves Recorded

Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency recorded tsunami waves at multiple monitoring stations shortly after the earthquake. Waves reached 20 centimeters in Bitung and 30 centimeters in West Halmahera. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Honolulu also reported waves of 5 centimeters in Davao, Philippines, but indicated no further threat to distant areas.

Damage and Casualties Reported

Impact in North Sulawesi and North Maluku

Strong shaking, lasting between 10 and 20 seconds, was felt in Bitung, North Sulawesi province, and Ternate city in North Maluku province. Initial assessments revealed light to moderate damage in parts of Ternate, including a church on Batang Dua Island and two houses in South Ternate. Damage assessments are ongoing in Bitung.

Fatalities and Injuries

Indonesia’s Search and Rescue Agency confirmed one death: a 70-year-old woman in the Minahasa district of North Sulawesi. Another resident in the area sustained injuries. Abdul Muhari, a spokesperson for Indonesia’s Disaster Management Agency, urged coastal communities to remain cautious and avoid returning to beaches until an official all-clear is issued.

Aftershocks and Regional Context

Two aftershocks were recorded following the main quake, both offshore. Officials stated that these aftershocks did not pose a tsunami threat, though they were felt in affected regions.

Resident Accounts

Marten Mandagi, a resident of Bitung, described waking up to strong shaking and evacuating his home. He reported no visible damage in his immediate area, stating, “We’re still checking whether there is damage or not. But here we are safe, there are no casualties or destruction.”

Indonesia, an archipelago of over 280 million people, is situated on major seismic faults, making it prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.