A powerful 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Indonesia's Maluku region on Thursday morning, triggering brief tsunami alerts and causing at least one fatality. The Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) lifted the tsunami warning hours later after confirming no significant sea level changes.
A 70-year-old resident of Minahasa Regency in North Sulawesi died after being struck by debris during the quake, according to local rescue teams. The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) reported light to moderate structural damage in Ternate, with social media footage showing collapsed ceilings and warped buildings.
Two aftershocks were recorded following the initial tremor, which caused intense shaking for up to 20 seconds in coastal areas. Authorities had initially urged coastal residents to evacuate and avoid beaches, though no further tsunami risks remain as of Thursday afternoon.
Emergency response teams continue to assess damage across affected regions, while officials emphasize adherence to safety protocols during ongoing seismic activity.
