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Updated 02 April 2026, 08:30 local time (01:30 GMT)
Powerful earthquake strikes off Indonesia's Ternate island
A 7.4-magnitude tremor rocked the Molucca Sea near Indonesia's Ternate island early Thursday, claiming at least one life and triggering brief tsunami alerts that were later canceled, authorities confirmed.
Casualties and damage reported
A 70-year-old woman in North Sulawesi died after being struck by falling debris from a collapsing structure, according to Indonesia's national news agency Antara. Another individual suffered a broken leg after leaping from a building in panic.
The national geological agency acknowledged "building damage and injuries" approximately one hour after the initial shock but did not release further specifics.
Tsunami warnings lifted
The Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially projected waves up to 0.3 meters (1 foot) along coastlines of Guam, Japan, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, and Taiwan. The alert was rescinded two hours later.
Residents describe intense shaking
Journalist Isvara Safitri, based in central Manado, recounted furniture in her room trembling for several seconds. "It was extremely strong-my head felt dizzy," she told BBC Indonesian. "Even the streets outside were shaking. This feels like the strongest quake I've experienced in six years."
Yayuk Oktiani, a resident of Bitung on Sulawesi's northeastern coast, said she frequently feels tremors but "none as violent as this one." While shopping at a market, she witnessed power outages as shoppers fled when the ground began to shake. She immediately rushed to her child's school near the coast, where teachers urged parents to take their children home despite the early hour.
"The situation was chaotic. Teachers told parents to bring their children home right away, even though they had just arrived."
Yayuk Oktiani, Bitung resident
Aftershocks and emergency response
At least two aftershocks measuring 5.5 and 5.2 magnitude followed the main quake, with officials warning of additional tremors. The epicenter lay roughly midway between Manado and Ternate, a volcanic island in North Maluku province.
In Ternate, resident Budi Nurgianto described walls vibrating for over a minute before he escaped outside, where panicked neighbors spilled into the streets-some still in mid-shower. "There were many people outside," he told AFP.
Footage from Manado's search and rescue teams showed officials and residents navigating a sports complex littered with debris, including toppled furniture and twisted metal structures.
Hospital evacuations underway
At Siloam Hospital in Manado, 69-year-old patient Admini recalled the frantic evacuation. "We were drinking tea and didn't realize it was an earthquake at first. Then we heard a child scream, 'Come down, hurry up!'"
Medical staff swiftly established outdoor treatment areas and used vehicles as temporary clinics. "Everyone was outside-some in wheelchairs, others helping each other," Admini said.
