Magnitude 7 earthquake in Indonesia: at least one victim, buildings damaged and tsunami warning (later lifted)

A violent earthquake with a magnitude greater than 7 hit the waters of northern Indonesia, in the Molucca Sea, triggering a tsunami warning and causing panic among the population. The main shock, recorded at a depth between 35 and 53 kilometers, was felt distinctly in several areas, including North Sulawesi, Ternate and Bitung, where buildings and infrastructure suffered damage. According to local authorities, the earthquake caused at least one victim, a woman who was crushed by the partial collapse of a building in the Manado area, while another person was injured trying to reach safety.

Rogue waves and aftershocks after the earthquake

After the earthquake, small tsunami waves were recorded, measuring between a few centimeters and approximately 0.3 – 0.75 meters in several coastal locations. The waves reached some areas of the Northern Maluku Islands and Sulawesi, without causing significant damage but sufficient to keep the authorities on high alert.

Initially, international monitoring centers had reported the possibility of waves of up to 3 metres, with potential risk for Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia. As the hours passed, however, fortunately the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reduced the threat and subsequently revoked the alert, confirming the absence of large-scale destructive dangers.

Fear among residents and sudden blackouts

Testimonies from the cities closest to the epicenter describe strong and prolonged tremors, lasting up to twenty seconds. In Manado and Bitung, residents described furniture falling, walls vibrating and people fleeing into the streets. Temporary blackouts occurred in some areas, while shops and homes suffered light to moderate damage. The earth continued to shake even after the main shock, with aftershocks up to magnitude 5.5, all located in the sea. Authorities called on the population to remain calm but vigilant, underlining the possibility of further aftershocks.

Epicenter distant but tremors felt throughout the region

The epicenter of the earthquake was located hundreds of kilometers from the coasts of the Philippines and Malaysia, but the seismic movement was felt in a very large area of ​​the western Pacific. Some monitoring centers have reported small changes in sea level even in more distant territories, including Japan, Papua New Guinea and Taiwan, with waves of less than 0.3 meters and without damage. Regional seismological agencies have confirmed that there is no destructive threat, but continue to monitor the situation for any developments.

One of the most seismic areas of the planet is shaking again

Indonesia is located along the Ring of Fire, one of the most geologically active areas. Here the meeting between different tectonic plates generates frequent earthquakes and intense volcanic activity, making high-magnitude events relatively common. The shock was in fact one of the strongest in recent years. The authorities are now carrying out detailed checks on the damage to buildings, houses and public structures, while monitoring for any new aftershocks remains active.

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