A powerful earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale struck Indonesia early Thursday, rattling several regions and prompting a short-lived tsunami warning across parts of Southeast Asia. The tremor occurred at 06:48 local time, with its epicenter located in the Molucca Sea, approximately 120 kilometers from Ternate, according to the United States Geological Survey.
Initially estimated at a magnitude of 7.8, the quake lasted close to 10 seconds and was strongly felt across North Sulawesi and North Maluku, sparking panic among residents and triggering emergency responses.
Authorities confirmed that the disaster claimed at least one life—a 70-year-old woman who died after being struck by falling debris in North Sulawesi, reported NDTV. Several homes and structures were damaged in the affected regions, with local media broadcasting visuals of cracked buildings and debris-strewn streets.
Preliminary assessments indicated minor to moderate destruction, including damage to houses and a church. Officials said detailed inspections are ongoing to determine the full extent of the losses.
🚨 Un terremoto de magnitud 7.4 fue registrado en aguas de Indonesia por el USGS.
— Azucena Uresti (@azucenau) April 2, 2026
El sismo, con epicentro en el mar de Molucas, provocó una alerta de tsunami para Indonesia, Malasia y Filipinas. 🌊 Autoridades se mantienen en vigilancia.
📸 @SanamPervaiz01 pic.twitter.com/IttQHaNg87
Indonesia’s geological agency reported that small tsunami waves reached coastal areas shortly after the quake. Wave heights of up to 75 cm were recorded in North Minahasa, while Bitung experienced waves of around 20 cm within 30 minutes of the tremor.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially issued an alert warning of potentially dangerous waves within a 1,000-kilometer radius, impacting Philippines and Malaysia alongside Indonesia, as per reports. However, the warning was lifted roughly two hours later after authorities determined that the immediate threat had subsided.
Meanwhile, Japan Meteorological Agency observed slight sea level fluctuations but ruled out any significant tsunami impact on its coastline.
Emergency measures were swiftly implemented in vulnerable areas, with evacuation preparations underway in cities such as Tidore. Residents in Bitung and nearby regions reported prolonged shaking, heightening fears of further seismic activity.
Indonesia’s disaster management authorities have urged people to remain alert, warning that aftershocks could follow in the coming hours or days. The quake’s epicenter was located about 580 kilometers south of the Philippines and nearly 1,000 kilometers from Malaysia’s Sabah coast.
Officials continue to monitor the situation closely as rescue and assessment operations progress, with a focus on ensuring public safety and restoring normalcy in the affected regions.
