M 7.7 Earthquake in Philippines Triggers Tsunami Warning in Indonesia; Residents Urged to Avoid Coastal Areas
A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck the southern Mindanao region of the Philippines, triggering early tsunami warnings in several parts of Indonesia. Residents have been urged to stay away from coastal areas and remain on high alert.
“Given that large-magnitude aftershocks continue to occur in close succession, citizens are requested to remain in safe locations, avoid coastal areas, and stay away from cracked building structures,” stated Abdul Muhari, Head of the Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Centre at the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), in a statement on Monday (8/6/2026).
BNPB stated that although detected sea-level anomalies so far remain in the minor category, residents in coastal areas under ‘Alert’ and ‘Watch’ status—ranging from the coasts of North Sulawesi, North Maluku, Gorontalo, and Central Sulawesi to East Kalimantan—must maintain full vigilance. Residents are also advised to follow instructions and official information updates from local Regional Disaster Management Agencies (BPBD) and relevant authorities.
According to sea-level monitoring equipment, minor tsunami waves have already occurred in several areas. The first wave was recorded in Loloda, West Halmahera, at 07:20 WIB with a height of 0.09 metres, followed by waves in Ulusiau-Sitaro at 07:27 WIB reaching 0.18 metres, and in Melonguane, Talaud Islands, at the same time reaching 0.19 metres.
BNPB noted that alongside these sea-level anomalies, tectonic activity around the main fault structure remains highly active, with energy release manifesting as a series of significant aftershocks with magnitudes exceeding 5.0.
The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) also recorded several aftershocks. The sequence began at 07:11 WIB with a magnitude 5.9 earthquake located 241 km Northwest of Karatung Island, followed by a magnitude 5.7 earthquake at 07:18 WIB, 211 km Northwest of Karatung Island.
Aftershock intensity increased again at 07:55 WIB with a magnitude 6.0 earthquake located 201 km Northwest of Tahuna, Sangihe Islands, before BMKG sensors recorded another magnitude 5.2 aftershock at 08:10 WIB, 172 km Northwest of Tahuna.
Periodic reports from the Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) Field Control and Operations Centre (Pusdalops) confirm that this series of tremors was felt with varying intensities by communities in nearby regions. Shaking was felt strongly for 3 to 4 seconds in the Sangihe Islands Regency, causing local panic, while moderate intensity was felt in North Minahasa for 3 to 4 seconds and in Manado City for 2 to 3 seconds. In the Talaud Islands Regency, the impact was felt as weak tremors for 2 to 3 seconds. All BPBD units in these areas remain on standby and are conducting intensive monitoring of post-earthquake damage.