Summary of this article
A 7.4-magnitude undersea earthquake struck the Molucca Sea near Ternate in eastern Indonesia, triggering tsunami alerts and sending residents rushing out of buildings.
Small tsunami waves, up to about 0.75 metres, were recorded at several coastal locations, while authorities issued warnings across parts of Indonesia and nearby regions.
At least one person was killed after a building collapsed in Manado, and several structures suffered damage as aftershocks were reported in the area
A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia’s Molucca Sea early Thursday, triggering small tsunami waves and killing at least one person, officials said. The quake occurred at a depth of about 35 kilometres, with its epicentre roughly 127 kilometres west-northwest of Ternate, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Indonesia’s meteorology agency issued tsunami alerts soon after the tremor, and waves were recorded at several coastal monitoring stations, though they remained relatively small. Authorities later said the broader tsunami threat had passed.
Local officials reported one fatality in Manado after a building collapsed, while several homes and public structures suffered damage. Residents in cities such as Ternate and Bitung felt strong shaking and rushed outdoors in panic as aftershocks continued.
Indonesia lies on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” making it highly vulnerable to earthquakes and volcanic activity.
