M5.9 Earthquake Hits North Doi Maluku Island, Felt Tremors to Manado

Illustration of an earthquake (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - A magnitude 5.9 earthquake shook the Doi Island area, North Maluku, on Thursday, August 6, early morning. Based on the report of the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the earthquake shock was felt up to Manado City, North Sulawesi (Sulut). However, the earthquake is confirmed not to have the potential to cause a tsunami.

BMKG official information states that the earthquake occurred at 00.50.18 Wita with the epicenter located about 62 kilometers southwest of Doi Island, North Maluku.

The location of the earthquake was at coordinates 1.90 north latitude (LU) and 127.37 east longitude (BT) with a depth of 110 kilometers. The depth indicates that the earthquake is a medium-sized earthquake.

Until this news was published, there were no official reports regarding building damage or casualties due to the earthquake that shook the North Maluku region.

BMKG also ensures that the M 5.9 earthquake on Doi Island does not have the potential to trigger a tsunami wave so that the public is asked to remain calm and not easily influenced by information that has not been confirmed to be true.

Although the epicenter was in the North Maluku region, the tremors were also felt by some people in Manado City and a number of areas in North Sulawesi. There have been no reports of disruptions to community activities due to the tremors.

BMKG urges the public to always refer to official information conveyed through BMKG communication channels regarding the development of earthquake activity and the potential for aftershocks.

The public is also asked to remain vigilant, but not panic, and to ensure that the information received comes from official sources to avoid the spread of hoaxes.