7.7 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Celebes Sea with Tsunami Potential, Residents Evacuated
A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck the waters of North Sulawesi on Monday morning (8/6) at 07:37 WITA. The epicentre was located at sea, 47 kilometres northwest of Karatung Island, triggering an early tsunami warning targeting five regions in the eastern and northern parts of Indonesia.
The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) issued a ‘Siaga’ (Alert) status for several coastal areas in North Sulawesi, Gorontalo, Central Sulawesi, North Maluku, and parts of East Kalimantan. This warning prompted the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) and local governments to mobilise evacuations.
“Coastal residents are advised to remain calm and not panic, but to immediately move away from the coast towards higher assembly points. Priority safety is given to the elderly, people with disabilities, and children,” said Abdul Muhert, Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Centre.
Based on BMKG modelling, the first tsunami waves were estimated to arrive in the Sangihe Islands, North Sulawesi, at 07:51 WITA, just 14 minutes after the earthquake. This was followed by waves expected in Manado and North North Minahasa at 07:12 WIB, then progressing to northern Gorontalo (08:26 WITA), and Buol and Toli-Toli in Central Sulawesi (08:27-08:29 WITA).
For regions under ‘Waspada’ (Watch) status, such as the Talaud Islands (07:58 WITA), Bitung (08:19 WITA), Halmahera (08:29 WITA), and Nunukan in East Kalimantan (09:14 WITA), the public has been asked to stay away from the coast and riverbanks and to cease all maritime activities.
As of 09:00 WITA, reports from the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of the Talaud Islands and Manado indicated that the tremors were only felt weakly for 2-3 seconds. Coastal situations are currently monitored as safe and under control. Joint teams consisting of BPBD, TNI, Polri, Basarnas, and volunteers continue to conduct regular field monitoring.
The BNPB has ensured that evacuation routes have been prepared and that the public is being directed in an orderly manner. “We are working under a single command. All parties are on full alert to secure the movement of residents,” added Abdul Muhari.