A magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck waters southeast of Bitung City, North Sulawesi, early on Thursday, 2 April 2026, triggering a small tsunami and leaving one person dead.
The earthquake occurred at 4:48 a.m. Central Indonesian Time (WITA) at a depth of 62 kilometres. The epicentre was located at 1.25° North Latitude and 126.25° East Longitude. The tremor was felt across North Sulawesi and North Maluku.
The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) confirmed that the quake generated a minor tsunami. Sea level monitoring recorded a wave of 0.3 metres in West Halmahera at 7:08 a.m. WITA and 0.2 metres in Bitung at 7:15 a.m. WITA.
Authorities initially issued a tsunami early warning and urged residents to stay away from coastal areas. The warning remained in place for several hours before being lifted later in the morning.
Aftershocks Recorded as Authorities Monitor Situation
BMKG reported a series of aftershocks following the main quake.
“As of 9:50 a.m. Western Indonesian Time (WIB), BMKG monitoring results indicate a series of 48 aftershocks, with the largest measuring between 3 and 5.5, and two earthquakes felt,” said BMKG Head Teuku Faisal Fathani in an online press conference on Thursday, as quoted from Kompas.
He added that current observations showed no further threat from rising sea levels.
“Therefore, the tsunami early warning was declared over at 9:56 a.m. Western Indonesian Time,” he said.
BMKG continues to monitor seismic activity and has coordinated with national and regional authorities. Officials confirmed that teams are being deployed to affected areas to assess damage and support response efforts.
“We have also coordinated directly with the Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), who is currently on his way to the location,” Faisal said.
He added that technical teams, including representatives from regional meteorological offices and earthquake monitoring units, would assist on the ground.
Lihat postingan ini di Instagram
One Dead in Manado, Damage Under Assessment
As reported by AntaraNews, the earthquake caused damage to several buildings in Manado, North Sulawesi.
A 70-year-old woman identified as DL was killed after being struck by falling debris.
Manado Search and Rescue Agency spokesperson Nuriadin Gumeleng confirmed the fatality.
“The victim died after being hit by falling building debris and has been evacuated to Bhayangkara Hospital,” he said, as quoted from AntaraNews.
Another person reportedly suffered a broken leg. Authorities are continuing to collect data on casualties and damage.
The earthquake also affected public infrastructure. Parts of the Indonesian National Sports Committee (KONI) building in Manado reportedly collapsed.
Search and rescue teams from the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) have been deployed to assist affected residents. Officials stated that assessments are ongoing as more information becomes available.
Cover: mediahub.polri.go.id
