A powerful magnitude-7.4 earthquake struck the Molucca Sea region northeast of Indonesia early today, according to the US Geological Survey. The quake had a depth of 35 kilometers and its epicenter was 127 kilometers west-northwest of Ternate, Indonesia.
Indonesia's meteorology agency reported tsunami waves in West Halmahera at 0.3 meters high and Bitung at 0.2 meters high. The US tsunami warning system said tsunami waves were possible in neighboring countries, while the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center warned of waves between 0.3 and 1 meter above tide level for some Indonesian coastal areas.
Brajakson Siokal, staying on the fourth floor of a hotel in Manado, described the experience as the strongest earthquake he had ever felt. He said the ceiling in his room completely collapsed. One person died after being hit by debris in Manado, according to the North Sulawesi National Search and Rescue Agency, and another broke a leg jumping from a shop. The agency is still gathering information on possible further casualties.
Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency reported that teams in Manado, Bitung, and Ternate are inspecting buildings to assess damage and confirm the number of victims. Regional governments in cities like Ternate and Tidore were urged to prepare citizens for evacuation. The Philippines' seismology agency said there was no destructive tsunami threat to the country.
