M6.7 Earthquake Hits Palu, Sigi Regency Holds Emergency Meeting to Accelerate Aid

The Sigi Regency government moved quickly to respond to the tectonic earthquake measuring magnitude 6.7 that shook the Palu area and its surroundings on Tuesday (16/6). Bupati Sigi, Moh Rizal Intjenae, together with Deputy Bupati Samuel Yansen Pongi and Central Sulawesi Deputy Governor Reny A. Lamadjido, directly led an emergency meeting to ensure effective handling of the disaster’s impact. In the meeting held in Palolo, Sigi, Bupati Rizal stressed that the main priority is meeting the basic needs of affected residents. “Today we held an emergency meeting regarding the handling of this disaster, one of which is to accelerate the distribution of food, clean water, and the erection of emergency tents,” Rizal told the press. To ensure aid is accurately targeted, Bupati Rizal instructed the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) to collaborate with village and sub-district governments to immediately finalise damage data validation. He gave his staff a strict deadline. “I have instructed BPBD to work with village heads and sub-district heads to complete the house damage data within 1x24 hours,” he stressed. Beyond infrastructure, the health sector is also a serious concern. The Health Office has been ordered to place all medical teams on standby at community health centres and hospitals. The services provided are not limited to physical injuries but also include psychological support or trauma healing for residents experiencing post-disaster shock. According to a report from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the earthquake was a shallow tectonic quake. Despite its significant strength, modelling results showed that the seismic activity did not trigger a tsunami. In closing his statement, Bupati Rizal urged residents of Sigi and surrounding areas not to be influenced by unverified rumours. He assured that the government will continue to support residents until the situation fully recovers. “Residents should not panic and remain calm. In essence, the government is fully committed to assisting residents until the situation returns to normal,” he concluded.