M7.6 Sulut-Malut Earthquake: 1 Dead, 355 Displaced, Hundreds of Houses Damaged

JAKARTA - A magnitude 7.6 earthquake that shook North Sulawesi and North Maluku has caused casualties, displacement, and damage to hundreds of buildings.

The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) recorded one death in Manado City, North Sulawesi. In addition, one resident suffered minor injuries in Minahasa Regency.

Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Center, Abdul Muhari, explained the characteristics of the earthquake and its aftershocks. The earthquake tremors were felt in a number of areas in two provinces. In North Sulawesi, the tremors were felt in Bitung City and Minahasa Regency.

"The impact of the earthquake in North Sulawesi, there was one death in Manado City and one minor injury in Minahasa Regency," said Abdul Muhari in his statement, Friday, April 3.

Meanwhile, in North Maluku, tremors were felt in the cities of Ternate, Tidore Islands, and the areas of West Halmahera, Central Halmahera, North Halmahera, and South Halmahera. BNPB recorded a significant number of affected residents and refugees in the North Maluku region.

"In North Maluku, 134 households were affected in the city of Ternate, 7 households in Central Halmahera, 5 households in West Halmahera, and 2 households in South Halmahera. In addition, as many as 355 people were displaced in Tidore Kepulauan City," he said.

Building damage was also reported in a number of areas, both in North Sulawesi and North Maluku. In North Sulawesi, the impact was centered on Manado City and Minahasa Regency.

"A quick review while noting that in North Sulawesi Province there are 1 hotel units, 5 offices, and 1 public facility (KONI Building) affected in Manado City. In Minahasa Regency, 17 houses, 1 government office, 2 worship facilities, and 1 road access were recorded. affected. "he explained.

Meanwhile, in North Maluku, the most damage occurred in the city of Ternate with 32 houses severely damaged, 36 moderately damaged, 66 lightly damaged, and 6 worship facilities affected. In the city of Tidore Islands, there are 25 houses that are lightly damaged, 5 worship facilities, and 1 public facility affected.

In addition, the impact also spread to the district area in Halmahera, where there were 2 damaged houses, 1 educational facility, and 1 bridge affected. In the Central Halmahera Regency there were 2 houses that were severely damaged and 5 houses that were moderately damaged.

Meanwhile, in West Halmahera Regency there were 5 houses that were slightly damaged. The local BPBD carried out emergency handling at the scene.

BNPB reminded the public to remain vigilant against the potential for subsequent disasters, especially in the midst of weather conditions that risk triggering hydrometeorological disasters.

"Residents on the banks of the river are asked to routinely monitor the water level and update weather information from official sources. If there is heavy rain with high intensity and long duration, the public immediately carries out self-evacuation and knows the safe evacuation route," he added.