A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck in the Molucca Sea off Indonesia's Ternate island early Thursday morning, resulting in at least one confirmed fatality.
The seismic event, which occurred at 06:48 local time (22:48 GMT) at a depth of 35 kilometers, triggered initial tsunami warnings that have since been retracted.
A 70-year-old woman from North Sulawesi died due to injuries sustained from falling debris, and another individual suffered a broken leg while jumping from a building during the quake, as reported by Indonesia's national news agency, Antara.
Witnesses indicated that this quake could be among the strongest in the region in the past six years. The Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially alerted of possible tsunami waves affecting coastal areas including Guam, Japan, and the Philippines, but the warning was later lifted.
Residents described the shaking as intense, with furniture toppling over and roads moving beneath them. Journalist Isvara Safitri noted that everything started shaking, leaving her dizzy and alarmed.
In the market of Bitung, Yayuk Oktiani felt the tremors shake the ground, leading her to rush for her child's school. She recounted the chaos as teachers instructed parents to take their children home swiftly.
The quake's epicenter was located between Manado and Ternate, felt by many residents who described scenes of panic. Various aftershocks, including two significant ones measuring 5.5 and 5.2, have followed the original quake, prompting warnings from local authorities regarding potential further tremors.
Damage reports came in shortly after the quake, revealing injuries and destruction to infrastructure. Footage showed rescue teams assessing the damage at various locations, including a sports complex.
At Siloam Hospital in Manado, a patient recalled the urgency of evacuating as everyone congregated outside, many of whom relied on medical assistance for mobility.
The incident underscores the ongoing seismic activity in the region, as residents braced for potential future quakes.
