6.5 magnitude earthquake hits Indonesia, no casualties

A 6.5-magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia’s central Sulawesi province, but no casualties were reported. According to the Meteorological, Climatology and Geophysics Agency, there was no tsunami due to the earthquake last evening.

The earthquake occurred at 7.09 pm. The epicenter of the earthquake was 59 km northeast of Tojo Una-Una district and at a depth of 10 km below sea level.

The Meteorological, Climatology and Geophysics Agency said earlier at 10.52 a.m., a 5.9-magnitude foreshock struck the province of Central Sulawesi.

Datu Pamusu, the head of the provincial disaster management agency, told Xinhua that there were no reports of damage to buildings or injuries to people in the worst-affected area of ​​Amapana city in Tojo Una district.

Pamusu said that people felt strong tremors. People living in the coastal areas panicked and immediately moved to the higher plains fearing a tsunami. In the city, residents ran outside their homes or buildings. However, no building has been destroyed so far.

Abdul Muhri, head of the data and communications unit at the National Disaster Management Agency, said in a message that the tremors caused blackouts in the areas.

The tremors were also felt in the adjoining provinces of North Sulawesi and South Sulawesi, according to the Meteorological, Climatology and Geophysics Agency.