A 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck central Indonesia’s Sulawesi island on Tuesday, injuring at least eight people and causing scattered damage. The tremor sent residents fleeing into open areas in and around Palu, the provincial capital, and prompted some hospitals to evacuate patients as a precaution.
Three regencies near the epicenter, with a combined population of 1.2 million, are still being assessed. In Sigi, two of the eight reported injured individuals sustained serious wounds and were taken to a hospital, according to the National Search and Rescue Agency. Images from affected areas show structures with partially collapsed roofs and debris littering the streets.
The earthquake was centered 43 kilometers (27 miles) east-southeast of Palu at a depth of about 10 kilometers (6 miles), according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Several aftershocks followed, including one measuring 5.2 magnitude. Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysical Agency stated there was no tsunami danger but warned that aftershocks might continue.
Residents of Palu, a city of approximately 400,000, expressed fear due to the lingering trauma from the 2018 earthquake and tsunami that devastated the region. In 2018, a magnitude 7.5 earthquake triggered a 3-meter (10-foot) high tsunami and liquefaction, resulting in over 4,000 fatalities. Many residents remained outdoors following Tuesday's quake due to concerns about aftershocks.
Indonesia is situated in a seismically active zone, making earthquakes and volcanic activity common occurrences.
In January 2021, a magnitude 6.2 earthquake near Mamuju, also on Sulawesi island, killed at least 100 people and forced thousands to sleep outdoors amid fears of aftershocks.