Magnitude 6.7 earthquake shakes part of Indonesia, causing destruction

A 6.7-magnitude earthquake shook part of Sulawesi island in central Indonesia on Tuesday, causing destruction and terrifying residents of a city devastated by an earthquake and tsunami eight years ago, UNN reports, citing AP.

Details

Strong tremors forced people to flee to open spaces in and around Palu, a city of about 400,000 people and the capital of Central Sulawesi province. Several hospitals evacuated patients, some on IV drips, into the streets as a precaution.

Footage from the area shows heavily damaged buildings with partially collapsed roofs, destroyed walls, and debris scattered across the streets. There was no immediate information regarding casualties.

"We evacuated all guests from the hotel, including several guests who had remained in their rooms," said Effendi Natali, general manager of a four-star hotel in Palu.

"Everyone panicked, which is a natural reaction during an earthquake, but everyone is safe," Natali said, adding that the hotel sustained only minor damage.

The epicenter of the first earthquake was located 43 kilometers east-southeast of Palu, and according to the U.S. Geological Survey, its depth was about 10 kilometers. The earthquake was followed by several aftershocks, the strongest of which had a magnitude of 5.2.

People also evacuated from coastal areas as a precaution in case the earthquake triggered a tsunami. Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency stated there was no tsunami threat but warned of the possibility of continued aftershocks.

"The earthquake was extremely strong," said Palu resident Mukhtar Ahmad. "We are still traumatized by the previous earthquake, so we decided to stay outside because we fear that aftershocks may continue."

Addendum

Indonesia is intersected by several seismic faults, and earthquakes and volcanic activity are common occurrences here.

Many Sulawesi residents are haunted by memories of the 7.5-magnitude earthquake that devastated Palu in 2018, which triggered a 3-meter-high tsunami and a phenomenon called soil liquefaction, where the ground collapses into itself. More than 4,000 people died, many of whom were buried underground when entire neighborhoods were swallowed by the collapsing earth.

In January 2021, a 6.2-magnitude earthquake near the city of Mamuju on Sulawesi island claimed at least 100 lives, with thousands of people sleeping outdoors for several days due to fear of aftershocks.