One Person Reported Dead Following Earthquake in Central Sulawesi

The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has recorded one fatality following a magnitude 6.7 earthquake that struck Central Sulawesi Province on Tuesday. The victim was a resident of Sigi Regency. Abdul Muhari, Head of the BNPB Data, Information and Disaster Communication Centre, stated that as of 19.00 WIB, one resident had been reported dead in Sigi Regency. Additionally, approximately 110 families, or 312 individuals, were affected by the quake. A total of 25 residents sustained minor injuries and 13 suffered serious injuries. “The reported fatality came from Sigi Regency, which was also the area with the most significant impact,” he said in a statement on Tuesday evening. According to Abdul, around 89 families, or 272 individuals, were affected in Sigi Regency. In addition, 22 residents suffered minor injuries and 13 sustained serious injuries. Meanwhile, in Parigi Moutong Regency, approximately 21 families, or 40 individuals, were affected. In Palu City, two residents suffered minor injuries, and in Poso Regency, one resident was injured. He added that based on preliminary data collection, at least 67 houses were affected. Of that number, 26 houses sustained minor damage, six moderate damage, and 12 severe damage. “Besides residential homes, damage also occurred to six places of worship, two bridges, one public facility, two office buildings, three business premises, and a section of the provincial road connecting Palu–Sigi–Poso which collapsed,” Abdul said. He noted that the most reported damage was in Sigi Regency, with 47 houses affected, 23 houses lightly damaged, six moderately damaged, and 12 heavily damaged. In that area, six places of worship, two office buildings, one bridge, and one micro, small and medium enterprise (UMKM) were also damaged. Meanwhile, in Poso Regency, five houses were affected and three houses were lightly damaged. Parigi Moutong Regency reported around 15 affected houses. In Palu City, cracks were reported on Bridge III, one public facility was affected, one hotel sustained damage, and one business premises was affected. Data collection in Donggala Regency is still ongoing. He said that the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) together with the Rapid Response Team (TRC) continue to conduct rapid assessments and data collection in the affected areas. Coordination with local governments, sub-district governments, village governments, and related agencies is also being strengthened to ensure optimal handling. “Aftershock activity is still continuing into the evening. BNPB, together with the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) and local governments, continues to monitor the situation and urges the public to remain calm, not be easily influenced by unverified information, and to follow official information from the government and BMKG,” he said.