Indonesia Earthquake Today: Magnitude 7.4 Strikes Off Ternate — One Dead
indonesia earthquake today: A magnitude 7. 4 tremor struck in the Molucca Sea off Ternate at 18: 48 ET, killing at least one person and damaging buildings in North Sulawesi and nearby islands. The United States Geological Survey recorded the quake at a depth of 35km and placed its epicentre roughly between Manado and Ternate. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued regional tsunami warnings that were lifted about two hours later at 20: 48 ET.
Indonesia Earthquake Today: Immediate impact
The USGS magnitude and depth figures anchor the official account: a powerful, shallow quake that prompted rapid emergency responses. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially warned of hazardous waves within a broad radius but lifted its alert after seismological and sea-level readings showed only limited movement. Indonesia’s meteorological agency BMKG recorded tsunami waves at several sites, with the highest measured at about 0. 75 metres in North Minahasa and smaller readings—around 20 centimetres—in Bitung and other locations in North Maluku and North Sulawesi.
Local disaster officials described building damage ranging from minor to moderate in Ternate and other islands, and assessments were under way in Bitung and Manado. A 70-year-old woman in North Sulawesi died after being crushed by building debris, and another person sustained a broken leg after jumping from a building during the shaking. Authorities monitored a series of aftershocks following the main event.
Eyewitness and official reactions
George Leo Mercy Randang, search and rescue official, said bluntly that “the quake was felt strongly and around Manado … one person died and one person had a leg injury, ” describing a victim trapped under rubble after a building collapse. Isvara Safitri, journalist and resident of central Manado, described prolonged shaking and dizziness: “It was really strong… My head even felt dizzy. “
Yayuk Oktiani, resident and market vendor in Bitung, described chaos as power cuts hit shops and people fled coastal areas; she said teachers immediately evacuated children from a school near the sea. Budi Nurgianto, a resident of Ternate, said walls vibrated for what felt like over a minute and that many people rushed outdoors in panic.
Indonesia’s national disaster management agency BNPB urged continued caution for coastal communities and recommended people refrain from returning to beaches or waterfronts until authorities confirm safety. Emergency teams were dispatched to assess structural damage, assist the injured and search collapsed buildings.
Quick background and what comes next
The earthquake struck a seismically active region. The USGS, PTWC and BMKG figures form the factual record for emergency planning and response. Initial sea-level readings and tide gauges showed only localized, small waves; the tsunami threat was treated as time-sensitive and then downgraded once data were analyzed and the PTWC lifted its alert.
Authorities will continue aftershock monitoring, detailed damage surveys and search-and-rescue operations through the coming hours. Emergency agencies have indicated they will update coastal communities when it is safe to return; residents are being urged to follow instructions from local disaster officials and search-and-rescue teams as assessments proceed. The indonesia earthquake today event remains under active review by seismological agencies and local authorities, with further updates expected as teams complete field checks and compile damage reports.
