Wheelchair and Bed-Bound Patients Evacuated from Samaritan Hospital During 6.7M Palu Earthquake

A tectonic earthquake with a magnitude of 6.7 shook the city of Palu, Central Sulawesi, on Tuesday (16/6/2026) at 10.27 WIB. The tremor caused residents and patients at Samaritan Hospital to rush outside in panic. According to the latest data from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the epicentre was located at sea at coordinates 1.04 degrees south latitude and 120.23 degrees east longitude, approximately 42 kilometres southeast of Palu at a depth of 10 kilometres. Although it did not have the potential to trigger a tsunami, the earthquake’s shaking was felt quite strongly in Palu City, Sigi Regency, Donggala, and Tojo Una-Una Regency, prompting people to flee their homes to save themselves. Panic was also visible at Samaritan Hospital. A number of patients, their families, and healthcare workers rushed out of the building towards open areas moments after the shaking was felt. Several patients undergoing treatment were evacuated using wheelchairs and beds to anticipate possible aftershocks and the potential impact of the earthquake. The hospital yard was filled with patients and visitors who chose to remain outside the building until conditions were deemed safe. “We ran outside because the shaking was very strong,” said Salam, a resident who was at the hospital. Hospital staff directed the evacuation process to ensure it proceeded in an orderly manner and that all patients remained safe.