Strong 7.4 Earthquake Rocks Indonesia, Casualties Reported and Buildings Damaged

A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck the Molucca Sea, Indonesia, near Ternate early Thursday morning, resulting in at least one fatality and triggering widespread alarm across the region. The tremor occurred at 06:48 local time at a depth of around 35 kilometers, prompting immediate tsunami warnings that were later lifted after about two hours. The victim, a 70-year-old woman in North Sulawesi, died after being crushed by falling debris, while another individual suffered a broken leg after jumping from a building during the panic.

Although earthquakes are common in this part of Indonesia, many residents described the shaking as unusually intense. Witnesses in Manado and Bitung said the tremor was among the strongest they had felt in years. Furniture was violently displaced, power outages were reported in several areas, and people rushed into the streets as buildings swayed. Parents hurried to collect children from schools, particularly in coastal zones, amid fears of a possible tsunami. In Ternate, residents reported prolonged shaking, with some fleeing their homes in confusion and fear.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially warned that small tsunami waves of under 0.3 meters could affect coastal areas across parts of Asia and the Pacific, including Guam, Japan and the Philippines, before cancelling the alert. The earthquake’s epicenter was located roughly between Manado and Ternate, spanning a seismically active zone known for frequent tremors.

In the aftermath, local authorities reported structural damage and injuries, though full details remain limited. Rescue teams in Manado were seen navigating debris at damaged sites, including a sports complex where parts of buildings had collapsed and metal structures were twisted. Hospitals also faced chaotic scenes, with staff evacuating patients outdoors and setting up temporary treatment areas. Witnesses described confusion in medical facilities, where patients, including elderly individuals, were quickly moved to safety.

The main quake was followed by at least two strong aftershocks, measuring 5.5 and 5.2 in magnitude, with officials warning that further tremors could occur.