M 6.7 Earthquake Strikes Palu: Causes, Impact, and Casualties
A magnitude 6.7 earthquake shook Palu City, Central Sulawesi, on Tuesday morning, triggering panic among residents and disrupting public activities. The strong tremors were also felt in the districts of Sigi, Parigi Moutong, Donggala, and Poso. Hours after the event, the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), and local disaster agencies (BPBD) were still monitoring and assessing the impact in the affected areas.
According to BMKG, the earthquake occurred at 10.27 WIB (11.27 Wita) with a magnitude of 6.7. The epicentre was located at coordinates 1.03 South Latitude and 120.24 East Longitude, approximately 42 kilometres southeast of Palu City, at a depth of 10 kilometres. BMKG stated the earthquake had no potential to generate a tsunami, but urged the public to remain vigilant for possible aftershocks.
BMKG explained the earthquake was a shallow type triggered by active fault activity in the region. The source mechanism analysis indicated an oblique normal faulting movement. According to the BMKG shaking map, the intensity reached VI-VII MMI in Torue, Parigi Moutong, and South Parigi, while Palolo and Sigi experienced VII MMI. Palu City and Sigi Biromaru felt shaking on the V-VI MMI scale.
The strong shaking caused residents in several areas to panic and rush outdoors. In Nunu Village, Tatanga Subdistrict, Palu City, residents gathered on roadsides after fleeing their homes. A resident named Sulistio Anggriawan said the tremor was very strong and lasted about 10 seconds, adding he was still too traumatised to return indoors.
Panic also occurred at Samaritan Hospital in Palu, where patients, families, and visitors were evacuated to the car park and hospital grounds. Hospital staff and security assisted patients, including wheelchair users, to safer areas.
BNPB reported that tremors were felt in Palu, Sigi, Donggala, Poso, and Parigi Moutong. Abdul Muhari, Head of BNPB’s Data, Information, and Disaster Communication Centre, said initial reports indicated damage to several buildings in Palu City, Sigi Regency, and Parigi Moutong Regency, though detailed assessments were still underway. BMKG’s Director of Engineering Seismology, Teguh Rahayu, confirmed moderate damage to the Sigi Regent’s Office, as well as damage to Hotel Santika, a café, the Tadulako University Auditorium, Hotel Best Western, and Star Kitchen Store in Palu City. Several houses in Parigi Moutong also suffered minor damage.
BMKG Head Wijayanto confirmed the earthquake did not trigger a tsunami. Monitoring of tidal stations around the source area showed no significant rise in sea levels, with only a minor 7.5-centimetre increase detected at Pantoloan Port, which was deemed harmless.
As of 12.17 Wita, BMKG had recorded 13 aftershocks of varying magnitudes. Casualty data collection is still ongoing.