Powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake hits Indonesia, one dead, tsunami warning issued

2026-04-02 09:23:32 / BOTA ALFA PRESS

Powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake hits Indonesia, one dead, tsunami warning

A strong 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of eastern Indonesia on Thursday morning, causing panic among residents, property damage and the loss of one life.

The quake struck in the Moluccas Sea at a depth of about 35 kilometers, according to the United States Geological Survey. Authorities issued a tsunami warning after the quake, with waves of up to 75 centimeters reported in some areas, but the alert was later lifted.

In the city of Manado, residents ran out of their homes and buildings in panic. A 58-year-old woman, Siti Rohayati, recounted the terrifying moments when the earthquake struck in the morning.

"I didn't know what to do. I was just trying to save my family," she said, adding that her priority was the safety of the children.

One person was killed and another injured after a building collapsed in Manado, search and rescue authorities said. Emergency crews are on the scene and are verifying reports of other injuries.

After the main earthquake, the area was hit by dozens of aftershocks, one of which reached magnitude 5.9. Authorities in Jakarta confirmed that seismic activity remains high.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially warned of the risk of dangerous waves up to 1,000 kilometers from the epicenter, including the coasts of Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia.

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