Kodaeral VIII Distributes Aid to Earthquake Victims on Kawio Island

Manado (ANTARA) - Kodaeral VIII has commenced the distribution of aid to residents affected by the earthquake on Kawio Island, Marore District, Sangihe Islands Regency, North Sulawesi. “We have begun distributing humanitarian aid to residents as a form of concern for the community impacted by the earthquake disaster in the Kawio Islands, Sangihe,” said Kodaeral VIII Commander Rear Admiral TNI Dery Triesananto Suhendi, through the Commander of the Tahuna Naval Base, Navy Colonel (P) Hadi Subandi, in Tahuna on Friday. The aid distributed consists of various basic necessities and humanitarian logistics, including food supplies, clean water, medicines, emergency equipment, and other items needed by the affected community. The distribution process was carried out directly by Kodaeral VIII personnel together with Indonesian Navy soldiers, in coordination with the regional government and local officials to ensure the aid is received evenly and reaches the right targets. An assessment was conducted to observe firsthand the condition of the residents and the impact caused by the disaster, while also participating in community service to help clean up debris from buildings damaged by the earthquake. Residents of Kawio Island welcomed the presence of the Indonesian Navy and Kodaeral VIII, who had travelled by sea to deliver aid to this outermost region. It is hoped that the spirit of mutual cooperation and concern shown will accelerate the recovery process and strengthen the resilience of the community in the Kawio Islands and surrounding areas. On Monday, 8 June 2026, at 06:37 WIB, the southern coast of Mindanao, Philippines, was struck by a tectonic earthquake. Analysis by the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) indicated the earthquake had a magnitude of 7.7 at a depth of 47 kilometres. The epicentre was located at coordinates 5.80° N; 125.14° E, precisely at sea, 244 kilometres northwest of Karatung Island, North Sulawesi.