A powerful 7.4-magnitude offshore earthquake struck eastern Indonesia early Thursday, prompting tsunami warnings across parts of the region, according to the United States Geological Survey.
The quake hit at 6:48 am local time in the Molucca Sea, off the island of Ternate, at a depth of 35 kilometres. The epicentre was located around 120 km from Ternate in North Maluku province. The USGS had initially recorded the magnitude at 7.8 before revising it to 7.4.
According to an AFP report, authorities confirmed one fatality in Manado, in North Sulawesi province, where a building collapsed following the tremors. A local search and rescue official said the victim was buried under rubble, while another person sustained a leg injury. The quake was reportedly felt strongly across parts of the region.
Following the earthquake, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre issued an alert warning of possible hazardous tsunami waves within 1,000 kilometres of the epicentre. Coastal areas of Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia were identified as being at risk.
Tsunami Warning Issued
According to the warning, waves ranging between 0.3 metres and 1 metre above tide level could impact parts of Indonesia. Smaller waves of less than 0.3 metres were also considered possible along the coasts of Guam, Japan, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines and Taiwan. Japan’s meteorological agency said waves of up to 0.2 metres could reach its coast, though no damage is expected.
Local authorities in cities such as Ternate and Tidore urged residents to remain alert and prepare for possible evacuation. Visuals from local media showed damage to buildings in affected areas.
Indonesia lies along the seismically active Pacific Ring of Fire, where tectonic plate boundaries make the region prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity. Officials continue to monitor the situation as assessments of damage and aftershocks remain underway.
