dailyloe.com – A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck the Molucca Sea off Indonesia’s Ternate island early Thursday, killing at least one person and prompting a regional tsunami warning. The quake occurred at 5:48 a.m. local time with an epicenter 35 kilometers deep, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Authorities reported damage to buildings and widespread panic among residents.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially warned of potentially dangerous waves within 1,000 kilometers of the epicenter. This included coastlines in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia. The USGS also issued a potential tsunami threat alert for these areas following the seismic event.
Local rescue service official George Leo Mercy Randang told AFP one person died and another was injured in North Sulawesi province. The victim was reportedly buried under the rubble of a collapsed building. Indonesian broadcaster Metro TV also reported a fatality in the Manado area due to falling debris.
A resident in Manado told Reuters that people ran from their homes in panic. She noted no visible structural damage in her neighborhood but reported objects falling from shelves and a power outage. Tsunami waves measuring 30 centimeters were recorded approximately 30 minutes after the initial tremor.
Indonesian authorities have now lifted the tsunami alert. The quake was strongly felt in North Sulawesi, causing significant alarm. The region is part of the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire,’ known for frequent seismic and volcanic activity.[]
Source: DW.com
