A 7.4 magnitude undersea earthquake severely impacted parts of northern Indonesia, resulting in collapsed buildings, the death of at least one individual, and a minor tsunami on Thursday.
Waves climbed up to 75 cm above normal levels following the quake centered in the Molucca Sea, prompting local residents to evacuate their homes. The Indonesia Meteorological Agency later called off the tsunami warning, while the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology confirmed no threat was posed to their nation.
Residents felt strong tremors lasting up to 20 seconds across the Bitung in North Sulawesi Province and Ternate City in neighboring North Maluku, according to the Indonesian Disaster Management Agency. Early assessments indicated varied levels of damage in these areas, with ongoing evaluations in Bitung. Footage revealed collapsed structures and residents seeking safer grounds.