A strong earthquake shook Indonesia’s Sulawesi Island on Monday, sending residents rushing into open areas and raising fresh concerns in a region that frequently experiences seismic activity. Although the tremor created brief panic, officials said the island escaped serious damage.
Strong Tremors Create Panic but No Major Damage
Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) recorded the quake at a depth of about 105 kilometres off the coast of Sulawesi. Because the epicentre lay far beneath the seabed, the agency ruled out any tsunami threat.
Residents in coastal towns felt clear and sustained shaking. Many people left their homes and workplaces as soon as the ground moved. Shopkeepers evacuated customers, schools paused classes, and several offices temporarily halted operations. Despite the disruption, emergency teams reported no deaths or major structural damage during their initial surveys.
Local communities expressed relief on social media. Many users described the tremor as strong but brief, and several said they reacted quickly because they had experienced similar events in the past.
Authorities Warn of Possible Aftershocks
Disaster officials urged the public to stay alert. Indonesia sits in a region where aftershocks often follow large quakes, and authorities believe smaller tremors may continue over the next several days. Officials encouraged families to review emergency plans, keep essential supplies close, and avoid unstable buildings.
Teams from Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) travelled to remote coastal villages to check for unreported damage. These areas often face communication challenges, so officers said they would continue on-the-ground assessments until they complete a full regional review.
BMKG scientists monitored seismic activity throughout the day and issued regular updates. They told residents that deep-focus earthquakes rarely produce destructive tsunamis, but they also encouraged people to remain cautious.
A Region With a Troubled Seismic History
Sulawesi lies along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a region with intense tectonic movement. Several major plates meet beneath Indonesia, which creates frequent tremors across the archipelago. Earthquakes are common across South and Southeast Asia as well; for example, a 5.7-magnitude earthquake recently struck Bangladesh and was felt across eastern India (read more).
Only a few weeks earlier, a 6.6-magnitude earthquake shook the same region. That event renewed anxiety in Sulawesi, where memories of past disasters still linger. The 2018 Palu earthquake remains the most tragic example. A 7.5-magnitude quake struck the region, triggered a tsunami, and caused soil liquefaction that engulfed neighbourhoods. More than 4,000 people died in that disaster.
Because of these past events, even moderate quakes often create emotional stress among residents. Many local communities now react quickly to any sign of shaking, and they follow emergency instructions more strictly than before.
Indonesia Strengthens Preparedness Efforts
Over the past decade, Indonesia has worked to improve its disaster readiness. BNPB has introduced regular evacuation drills in schools, government offices, and major business centres. Local authorities also promote awareness campaigns that teach residents how to respond during earthquakes.
Public institutions in Sulawesi reviewed their emergency protocols again after Monday’s tremor. Several schools repeated safety instructions, while village leaders encouraged families to identify safe meeting points.
International agencies, including the United States Geological Survey (USGS), confirmed the quake’s magnitude and depth. Seismologists noted that deep quakes often release energy over a wider area but usually cause less surface damage.
Calm Returns but Residents Stay Alert
Daily life returned to normal within hours, yet many communities continued to monitor BMKG updates. People remain alert because of the region’s recent sequence of moderate quakes.
Officials reassured the public that the situation remains stable. They promised further updates if any significant aftershocks appear. For now, the island faces no major disruptions and continues to operate normally.
