Sulawesi earthquake: one dead, collapsed buildings, damaged church
The epicentre was about 129 km off the coast of Bitung at a depth of 33 km. The main quake was followed by at least 29 aftershocks, the strongest reaching a magnitude of 5.5. A 69-year-old woman died in Manado. The roof of a church collapsed. Church authorities are assessing its safety for Holy Week celebrations.
Jakarta (AsiaNews) – This morning, a powerful 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck the coast off Bitung, North Sulawesi, with strong tremors felt across the region and a tsunami warning issued in several coastal areas with at least one fatality and several people injured.
The earthquake was clearly felt in at least two provinces: North Sulawesi and North Maluku, sparking great concern among residents.
Local authorities quickly issued advance warnings for possible giant tidal waves – some as high as one metres were reported in several coastal areas of the affected provinces.
According to Rahmat Triyono, director of the Earthquake and Tsunami Department at the Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), at least five locations were affected by the tsunami, three in North Maluku and two in North Sulawesi.
The BMKG official added that the quake was likely caused by crustal deformation.
The epicentre is believed to be approximately 129 km southeast of Bitung and at a depth of 33 km, classifying it as a shallow earthquake.
Further instrumental analysis revealed a thrust fault mechanism, which contributed to the strength of the quake and generated an impact that scholars describe as significant.
Tsunami warnings were issued in several locations: West Halmahera, North Maluku, at 4:08 am local time; Bitung, North Sulawesi, at 5:15 am; Sidangoli at 6:16 am, with wave heights reaching 0.35 meters; North Minahasa, North Sulawesi at 5:18 am; and Belang at 5:36 am.
Strong tremors also caused severe structural damage. The Kalvari Church was severely damaged, with the ceiling collapsing shortly before the start of the Holy Thursday liturgy.
“Fortunately, the church was empty at the time of the earthquake," a local source told AsiaNews, and "no deaths or injuries have been reported."
“Church authorities are still coordinating response measures and assessing the safety of the place of worship,” which is where the faithful are set to take part in “Holy Week liturgical celebrations, starting with the Holy Thursday Mass this evening,” the source added.
The “faithful are urged to remain calm yet vigilant for possible aftershocks and to follow instructions from Church officials and local authorities."
The earthquake was also felt in Ternate, North Maluku.
Since the early afternoon, the BMKG has recorded at least 29 aftershocks, with the strongest reaching a magnitude of 5.5.
A 69-year-old woman, Deice Lahia, died in Manado, reportedly killed after the KONI sports hall in the Sario district collapsed suddenly. Another person was injured, suffering a broken leg after jumping from a great height while trying to escape.
Indonesia lies on the Ring of Fire, where several of the Earth's tectonic plates collide, causing intense seismic and volcanic activity, with often devastating consequences.
The most tragic event in recent history occurred on 26 December 2004, when a powerful earthquake triggered a devastating tsunami that penetrated seven kilometres inland, killing more than 270,000 people.
The death toll was made worse by the lack of updated monitoring and warning systems, which were later introduced.
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17/11/2008
