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A powerful 7.4-magnitude offshore earthquake struck eastern Indonesia early Thursday morning, prompting urgent warnings of potential tsunami activity.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the tremor occurred at 6:48 am local time at a depth of 35 kilometres in the Molucca Sea, situated near the island of Ternate.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre subsequently issued an alert, stating that hazardous waves could impact coastal regions within 1,000 kilometres of the epicentre, specifically affecting Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia.
The earthquake caused significant alarm in nearby cities, including Manado in North Sulawesi province, where residents were jolted awake by the shaking.
Witnesses reported people scrambling out of their homes and students rushing from school buildings to find safety outdoors.
While the tremors were described as lasting for a considerable duration, early reports from the ground suggest that no major structural damage was immediately visible in the coastal city.
Emergency officials across the region are currently monitoring sea levels and advising residents in low-lying coastal areas to remain vigilant.
Indonesia sits on the “Pacific Ring of Fire,” an area of high seismic activity where tectonic plates frequently collide, making the nation particularly prone to such natural disasters.
Authorities are expected to provide further updates as they assess the impact on remote islands closer to the quake’s centre.
