North Sulawesi Disaster Management Agency Records 31 Aftershocks Following Magnitude 7.7 Earthquake

The North Sulawesi Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) has recorded 31 aftershocks following a magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck the North Sulawesi region on Monday morning (8/6).

“As of 12:00 WITA, 3ability 31 aftershocks have been recorded following the main magnitude 7.7 earthquake,” stated the Head of BPBD North Sulawesi, Adolf H. Tamengkel, in a statement.

Based on preliminary data from BPBD North Sulawesi as of 12:47 WITA, 27 residential houses have sustained damage due to the tremors, which were centred in the sea approximately 236 kilometres northwest of Tahuna, Sangihe Islands.

In the Sangihe Islands Regency, damage is spread across several districts. In the Marore District, Kawio Village was the most severely affected area, with 11 houses and one church building sustaining damage. Meanwhile, in Matutuang Village, one teacher’s official residence, one school, one church, and one residential house were reported damaged.

Damage was also recorded in two houses in Marore Village, one house in Dira Village, one house in Batu Wingkung Village, one house in Tambung Village, one house in Santiago Sub-district, and two houses in Kolongan Beha Sub-district.

“The total preliminary damage in the Sangihe Islands Regency consists of 20 residential houses, two church buildings, one school, and one teacher’s official residence,” he said.

Meanwhile, in the Talaud Islands Regency, seven houses in the Rainis District were reported damaged due to the earthquake.

“Overall, the total infrastructure damage recorded so far in North Sulawesi includes 27 residential houses, two church buildings, one school, and one teacher’s official residence,” he revealed.

Additionally, the earthquake triggered a tsunami warning. Monitoring results showed tsunami waves detected in several areas, including Tahuna at 0.30 metres, Melonguane at 0.32 metres, Bitung at 0.29 metres, Talengen at 0.75 metres, and Ulu Siau at 0.18 metres.

Currently, BPBD North Sulawesi, alongside district and city governments, continues to collect data on casualties and infrastructure damage in the affected areas.

“As of this afternoon, there have been no official reports regarding fatalities. The government also urges the public to remain vigilant against the possibility of further aftershocks,” he added.