A 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia’s Sulawesi island on Tuesday, followed by a series of strong aftershocks.
The initial quake triggered intense shaking that lasted for more than a minute in and around Palu, a city of around 400,000 residents and the capital of Central Sulawesi province.
Authorities reported scattered damage in the area, while several hospitals evacuated patients outside as a precaution, including some who were still on IV drips. No immediate reports of casualties were available.
The quake was centered about 43 kilometers (27 miles) east-southeast of Palu at a depth of roughly 10 kilometers (6 miles), according to the US Geological Survey. The strongest aftershock measured 5.2 in magnitude. No tsunami warning was issued.
Indonesia lies on a highly active seismic zone, making earthquakes and volcanic eruptions frequent occurrences.
Many residents in Sulawesi still recall the devastating 7.5 magnitude earthquake in 2018 that struck Palu, triggering a 3-metre tsunami and soil liquefaction that swallowed entire neighborhoods, killing more than 4,000 people.
In 2021, a 6.2 magnitude quake near Mamuju on the same island left at least 100 people dead and forced thousands to sleep outdoors due to ongoing aftershock fears.
