Strong earthquake of 7.4 magnitude jolts Indonesia, tsunami alert issued

Jakarta (The Uttam Hindu): A powerful earthquake measuring 7.4 magnitude struck the northern Maluku Sea region of Indonesia on March 2, triggering panic and raising tsunami concerns across nearby coastal areas.

According to the United States Geological Survey, the quake initially measured 7.8 but was later revised to 7.4. Its epicenter was located at a depth of about 10 kilometers, around 120 kilometers from Ternate in eastern Indonesia.

The tremor caused small tsunami waves in parts of northern Indonesia. The US tsunami warning system indicated that dangerous waves could hit coastal areas within a 1,000-kilometer radius, including Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center also warned of minor sea level fluctuations in Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Papua New Guinea. However, no threat was reported for Hawaii, Guam, or other distant islands.

So far, there has been no immediate official confirmation of casualties or major damage in Indonesia. Local disaster management authorities and rescue teams are still assessing the situation.

Strong tremors were felt in Bitung, a coastal city in North Sulawesi province. A resident, Marten Mandagi, said people rushed out of their homes in fear. “We had just woken up when the earthquake struck suddenly. The shaking was very strong,” he said.

He added that no damage had been reported in his area so far and that people were checking the situation. Authorities have urged residents in coastal regions to remain calm, stay alert, and follow only official instructions as monitoring continues.