Central Sulawesi Governor Orders Emergency Response After Palu Earthquake

Central Sulawesi Governor Anwar Hafid has instructed all relevant agencies to implement emergency measures after a tectonic earthquake of magnitude 6.7 shook the Palu region on Tuesday at 10.27 a.m. Western Indonesian Time. “Public safety is the top priority. I urge all government ranks to move quickly in carrying out emergency response, assisting affected communities, and ensuring all basic needs are met,” Governor Anwar Hafid said in Palu on Tuesday. The governor instructed all relevant regional apparatus organisations, medical personnel, and disaster management elements to undertake emergency response steps to ensure public safety. Governor Anwar also appealed to the people of Central Sulawesi, particularly in the Palu, Sigi, Donggala (Pasigala) areas and other affected regions, to remain calm, not panic, and follow official information from the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) and the government. As a rapid emergency response measure, the governor has deployed medical personnel to several affected points to ensure health services for injured residents. All hospitals and health facilities have also been asked to heighten preparedness in anticipation of a potential increase in casualties or healthcare needs following the earthquake. To anticipate risks that may arise from aftershocks, hospitals have been instructed to prepare emergency service tents in open areas or hospital yards to guarantee the safety of patients, health workers, and members of the public requiring medical services. In addition, relevant regional apparatus organisations together with the Central Sulawesi Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) have been instructed to immediately prepare safe and adequate evacuation sites for residents in need of temporary shelter. The government has also ensured that the basic needs of evacuees will be a primary focus during the emergency response period. The governor further ordered a thorough inspection of buildings that have sustained damage or are potentially affected by the earthquake. Technical teams from relevant agencies will conduct assessments to ensure the safety of buildings before they are used again by the public. Currently, the Central Sulawesi BPBD is continuing data collection and field assessments, coordinating with the BMKG, district and city governments, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the Indonesian National Police (Polri), health workers, and all relevant elements to ensure that the response is swift, integrated, and well-targeted. The Central Sulawesi Provincial Government will continue to monitor the situation and provide regular official updates to the public. Residents are urged to remain alert for possible aftershocks, avoid damaged buildings, and immediately report emergency conditions to local officials.