M 7.7 Earthquake in North Sulawesi Triggers Tsunami Potential; BNPB Urges Residents to Follow Evacuation Orders
A tectonic earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 struck the Celebes Sea on Monday (8/6) morning at 06:37 WIB, with the epicentre located at a depth of 47 kilometres northwest of Karatung Island, North Sulawesi. The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has issued an updated tsunami early warning for coastal areas in five regions: North Sulawesi, Gorontalo, Central Sulawesi, North Maluku, and East Kalimantan.
In response to the tsunami potential, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has urged residents in these coastal areas to remain calm, maintain high vigilance, and proactively move away from coastal areas towards safe assembly points according to the threat level in their respective regions.
The Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Centre, Abdul Muhari, stated that based on BMKG’s tsunami impact modelling, local governments in provinces, regencies, and cities under ‘Alert’ status are instructed to immediately direct their citizens to conduct orderly evacuations to higher ground. The ‘Alert’ status covers several points in North Sulawesi, with estimated wave arrival times ranging from the Sangihe Islands at 06:51 WIB to North Bolaang Mongondow at 07:22 WIB, as well as parts of Gorontalo and Central Sulawesi.
Furthermore, for local governments and communities in ‘Warning’ status areas, the BNPB has requested that preparedness be maintained by directing residents to stay away from coastal areas and riverbanks, and to temporarily suspend all maritime activities. This category includes the Talaud Islands, Bitung, Halmahera, and parts of East Kalimantan and North Kalimantan.
Abdul Muhari confirmed that the current situation on the ground is monitored as safe, calm, and under control. Rapid reports from the Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) in the Talaud Islands and Manado indicate that the tremors were felt weakly for approximately 2 to 3 seconds. Joint BPBD teams are continuing to conduct strict periodic monitoring to assess any post-earthquake impacts and ensure coastal safety. The BNPB is also strengthening coordination with various agencies, including the TNI, Polri, Basarnas, and humanitarian volunteers, to guide and secure evacuation routes. The public is advised not to panic, prioritise vulnerable groups such as the elderly and children, and avoid spreading unverified information.