Strong quake hits eastern Indonesia, killing one and triggering brief tsunami alert
A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Indonesia early Thursday, killing at least one person, injuring another and damaging buildings, officials said.
The shallow quake hit at a depth of 35 kilometers, with its epicenter located northwest of Ternate between the Sulawesi and Maluku island groups, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The fatality occurred in Manado, where a person was killed by falling debris after a building collapsed, authorities said, adding that damage assessments are ongoing.
The tremor triggered tsunami waves in nine locations across North Maluku, North Sulawesi and Gorontalo provinces, with the highest wave reaching 75 centimeters. A regional tsunami warning was issued but lifted about two hours later after the threat subsided.
Residents fled their homes in panic as strong shaking lasted over a minute in some areas. Witnesses reported items falling from shelves and temporary power outages.
Dozens of aftershocks followed, including one measuring 5.9 in magnitude, as emergency teams were deployed to assess damage and check for additional casualties.
Indonesia, located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, is prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity.
