Parigi Earthquake in Central Sulawesi: One Resident Dies, Suspected Heart Attack

A magnitude 6.2 earthquake shook Parigi Moutong Regency, Central Sulawesi. One resident was reported dead, suspected to have suffered a heart attack during the quake.

The victim has been identified as Wiwi Putri Thabha (29), a woman from Hamlet II, Bugis Village, Mepanga District, Parigi Moutong Regency.

“Yes, based on preliminary reports, the victim is suspected to have died from a heart attack,” said Asbudianto, Chief Executive of the Central Sulawesi Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), in a statement on Sunday (16/8).

According to a report from the Operations Control Centre (Pusdalops) of the Parigi Moutong BPBD received by the Central Sulawesi Provincial BPBD, the earthquake occurred at 00:28 Central Indonesia Time (WITA).

The epicentre was located at coordinates 0.25 degrees North Latitude and 120.22 degrees East Longitude, approximately 74 kilometres southwest of Parigi Moutong.

“Modelling results indicate that the earthquake did not have tsunami potential,” he said.

In addition, the earthquake was reported to have caused damage to the Office of Public Works, Spatial Planning and Land Affairs of Parigi Moutong Regency.

“The damage consists of parts of the ceiling and the truss walls of the building. BPBD also recorded one aftershock with a magnitude of 2.2 at 01:27 WITA,” he explained.

As of now, Asbudianto said the number of residents displaced by the earthquake is still being recorded. Likewise, urgent needs and other damage are still being compiled by officers in the field.

“Data collection on damage and impact is still ongoing,” he said.

BPBD officers together with the Rapid Reaction Team (TRC) and Pusdalops of the Parigi Moutong Regency BPBD continue to conduct assessments and coordinate to ensure the condition of the community and the impact of the earthquake.