M7.6 Bitung Earthquake Felt to Manado, Residents Panic to Leave Their Homes

Tsunami illustration (ANTARA)

MANADO - The magnitude 7.6 earthquake that occurred in the waters of Bitung, North Sulawesi and North Maluku, Thursday, April 2 at 06.48 Wita, was felt in Manado City.

The earthquake lasted about 1 minute, and a number of residents immediately left their homes to avoid the bad effects.

"This earthquake was very strong, even the sound was strong from some of our household furniture," said Deysi, one of the housewives in Malalayang Village, Manado City, quoted by Antara, Thursday morning.

Fanli, one of the online drivers, also admitted that he stopped his activities temporarily to avoid the impact of the earthquake, such as the collapse of trees or electricity poles.

"I was driving a car, but I also felt the earthquake. I had to stop first because many electric poles were moving," he said.

BMKG has updated data with the early warning of tsunami in the waters of North Sulawesi and North Maluku.

The magnitude 7.6 earthquake was located at 1.25 degrees north latitude, 126.27 degrees east longitude and at a depth of 62 km.