6.7 Magnitude Quake Jolts Indonesia’s Sulawesi, Damages Reported

PALU, June 16: A strong 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia’s Sulawesi island on Tuesday, triggering scattered damage and prompting hospital evacuations, officials and reports said.
The tremor caused intense shaking that lasted for more than a minute in and around Palu, a city of nearly 400,000 people and the capital of Central Sulawesi province. Several aftershocks followed, including one measuring 5.2 magnitude.
Authorities said hospitals in the region evacuated patients, including those on IV drips, as a precautionary measure. No casualties were immediately reported.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the epicentre of the quake was located about 43 kilometres east-southeast of Palu at a depth of around 10 kilometres. Officials confirmed there was no tsunami threat following the quake.
Indonesia lies on a highly active seismic belt and frequently experiences earthquakes and volcanic activity. The region has previously witnessed major disasters, including a devastating 7.5 magnitude quake in 2018 that triggered a tsunami and liquefaction in Palu, killing over 4,000 people.
In 2021, a 6.2 magnitude earthquake near Mamuju on Sulawesi island left at least 100 people dead and forced thousands to remain outdoors due to repeated aftershocks. (Agencies)