SAR Teams Mobilise After Tsunami Warning Ends in North Maluku-North Sulawesi

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Meteorological, Climatological, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) states that the end of the early tsunami warning serves as the benchmark for joint SAR teams to begin entering the areas affected by the magnitude 7.6 earthquake in North Maluku (Malut)-North Sulawesi (Sulut) on Thursday.

BMKG Head Teuku Faisal Fathani, in a press conference in Jakarta on Thursday, said the early tsunami warning was lifted at 09:56 WIB after a series of monitoring efforts.

Following the end of the early warning, SAR teams, the National Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), and assessment teams can begin entering the affected locations.

BMKG released sea level observation data or tide gauge readings in stages three times, namely around 59 minutes, 1 hour 38 minutes, and 3 hours 45 minutes after the earthquake, in accordance with standard operational procedures.

“The results of this monitoring form the basis for decision-making until the early tsunami warning was finally declared ended,” he said.

In addition, BMKG considers the role of the mass media important in delivering official information to the public to prevent misinformation.

Teuku urged the public to remain calm, alert, and follow official information from BMKG and related agencies in the regions.

“Enhancing disaster mitigation is important, including the construction of earthquake-resistant infrastructure and vigilance in tsunami-prone areas,” he stated.

The magnitude 7.6 earthquake shook the southwest region of Batang Dua Island, Ternate, North Maluku, and was felt by residents in several areas, such as Ternate, Manado, and Gorontalo, with varying intensities.

BMKG recorded tsunami waves temporarily detected in several coastal areas, including West Halmahera at 0.30 metres, Bitung at 0.20 metres, and North Minahasa at 0.75 metres.