BNPB Reports 45 Families Affected by Central Sulawesi Earthquake, Infrastructure Damaged

The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has reported that 45 families, comprising 109 individuals, were affected by a magnitude 6.7 earthquake that struck Central Sulawesi on Tuesday (16/6) at 11.27 WITA. “Preliminary data indicates at least 45 families or 109 people have been affected. Additionally, 24 residents sustained minor injuries and eight suffered serious injuries,” said Abdul Muhari, Head of the BNPB Data, Information, and Communication Centre, in a written statement on Tuesday evening. “All data is still being verified and updated by officers in the field,” he added.

Sigi Regency was the worst-hit area, with 24 families or 69 individuals affected. In this regency, 21 people suffered minor injuries and eight sustained serious injuries. Meanwhile, Parigi Moutong Regency reported 21 families or 40 people affected. In Palu City, two residents suffered minor injuries, while Poso Regency reported one injured resident, with data collection still ongoing.

“In addition to casualties and affected residents, the earthquake also caused damage to houses and various public facilities and infrastructure in several areas,” Abdul stated. The affected areas include Palu City, Donggala Regency, Sigi Regency, Parigi Moutong Regency, and Poso Regency. In Parigi Moutong, the affected locations include Tolai Village in Torue District and Boyan Tongo Village in South Parigi District, while in Poso, damage was reported in Tumora Village, North Poso Pesisir District.

Preliminary data recorded at least 64 damaged houses, including four with minor damage. Damage was also reported to four places of worship, four public facilities, two bridges, two office buildings, one business premises, and a provincial road connecting Palu-Sigi-Poso, which suffered subsidence. “The damage is spread across several areas with varying degrees of severity,” Abdul added. In Sigi Regency, 44 houses were affected, one house sustained minor damage, four places of worship were affected, two office buildings were damaged, one other building was affected, and one bridge was damaged. In Poso Regency, five houses were affected, three houses sustained minor damage, and one provincial road segment was damaged. Parigi Moutong Regency reported 15 affected houses. In Palu City, damage was reported to Bridge III, which suffered cracks, one business premises was affected, one public facility was affected, and one hotel building was damaged, with further assessment still underway. Data collection in Donggala Regency is still being carried out by field officers.

“Amid the data collection and impact management, aftershock activity is still occurring around the affected area,” Abdul said. According to BMKG data, as of 14.00 WIB, 55 aftershocks had been recorded near the main earthquake location. The number and characteristics of aftershocks are being continuously updated based on BMKG monitoring.

In response to the situation, local governments, together with BPBDs and related agencies, immediately undertook various measures to ensure public safety and accelerate impact data collection. As a precaution, all patients at Anutapura Hospital in Palu City were temporarily evacuated to an open area. The Palu City Government, together with BPBD and a team of experts, also inspected several bridges reported to have suffered cracks. Emergency tents have been set up as a precautionary measure, and patients are gradually returning to the treatment rooms. The Palu City Government has not yet declared a state of emergency.

In Poso Regency, residents and police officers are clearing debris from buildings affected by the earthquake. BPBDs in Palu City, Donggala Regency, Poso Regency, Sigi Regency, and Parigi Moutong Regency, together with Rapid Response Teams (TRC), are continuing to conduct rapid assessments and data collection on the impact in affected areas. Coordination with sub-district and village governments, as well as related agencies, is also ongoing to expedite response and meet community needs.

As response efforts continue, several urgent needs have been identified in the affected areas, including disaster response logistics, tarpaulins to cover damaged buildings, and the installation of tents in the yard of Poso Regency General Hospital. “The rapid assessment and data collection process is still ongoing, so the number of casualties and damage may change based on developments in the field,” Abdul said. BNPB urges the public to remain calm and not be provoked by unverified information. Residents in affected areas are advised to follow official information from BMKG, BNPB, BPBD, and local governments, and to remain vigilant for potential aftershocks. Residents are also asked to avoid damaged buildings until they are declared safe by authorised officers.