BNPB Assesses Damage After M6.7 Earthquake Shakes Central Sulawesi

The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) is still gathering data on the impact and damage caused by a magnitude 6.7 earthquake that shook Central Sulawesi on Tuesday (16/6) at 11.27 WITA. Abdul Muhari, Head of the BNPB Data, Information, and Communication Centre, said regional disaster management agencies (BPBD) in the affected areas are continuing to monitor and assess the situation directly in the field. “Preliminary reports note damage to several buildings in a number of locations in Palu City, Sigi Regency, and Parigi Moutong Regency. However, as of the release of this statement, details on the number and severity of the damage are still being collected by local BPBD teams,” Abdul said in a written statement on Tuesday. He added that data collection regarding possible casualties or displaced residents is also ongoing. According to the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the earthquake was centred on land at coordinates 1.03 South latitude and 120.24 East longitude, with a depth of 10 kilometres. The epicentre was located approximately 42 kilometres southeast of Palu City, 54 kilometres northeast of Sigi Regency, 70 kilometres northwest of Poso Regency, and 81 kilometres southeast of Donggala Regency. In Palu City, the tremor was felt quite strongly for about four to six seconds, causing residents to panic and rush out of their homes. The Palu City BPBD immediately conducted rapid monitoring and assessment after the quake. In Donggala Regency, the shaking was felt with moderate intensity for around two seconds, causing some panic among residents, while the local BPBD monitored for possible impacts. Strong shaking lasting about six seconds was also felt in Poso Regency, where residents panicked and the local BPBD is still collecting data in the field. In Sigi Regency, the earthquake was felt for about five seconds, prompting residents to leave their homes in anticipation of aftershocks. The Sigi Regency BPBD continues to assess conditions in the affected areas. Meanwhile, in Parigi Moutong Regency, the tremor was felt by many residents both inside and outside their homes. Windows and doors were reported to have rattled, and walls made cracking sounds due to the shaking. The Central Sulawesi Provincial BPBD, together with the Rapid Reaction Team and the Disaster Management Operations Control Centre from the Sigi and Parigi Moutong regency BPBDs, has coordinated and conducted rapid assessments to obtain a comprehensive picture of the earthquake’s impact. To date, no urgent needs have been reported from the affected areas. BNPB has urged the public to remain calm, not to be easily provoked by unverified information, and to follow the directives of local governments, BPBD, and BMKG. “Residents are asked to remain alert for potential aftershocks, check the condition of buildings before re-entering their homes, and immediately stay away from any structures that show cracks or damage until they are declared safe by authorised officers,” Abdul said.