Indonesia Earthquake 7.4 Today: A powerful undersea earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale struck the Molucca Sea in northern Indonesia early Thursday morning. The massive tremor triggered localized tsunami warnings, caused structural damage across several islands, and tragically claimed the life of an elderly woman.
The Incident: What Happened?
The earthquake occurred at approximately 6:48 AM local time (around 4:18 AM IST), catching many residents as they were beginning their day. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the quake was centered about 126 kilometers west-northwest of Ternate, a city in the North Maluku province. Indonesia Earthquake 7.4 Today
Key Seismic Details:
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Magnitude: 7.4 ($M_w$)
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Depth: 35 kilometers (Shallow)
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Epicenter: Molucca Sea, between the Sulawesi and Maluku island groups. Indonesia Earthquake 7.4 Today
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Duration: Residents reported strong shaking lasting between 10 to 20 seconds.
Casualties and Damage Reports
As of Thursday evening, Indonesia’s National Agency for Disaster Countermeasure (BNPB) has confirmed one fatality.
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Manado City: A 70-year-old woman passed away after her home collapsed during the shaking in North Sulawesi’s capital.
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Injuries: At least one other resident in Manado was reported injured, while three people in Ternate were hospitalized with minor injuries following the collapse of building debris. Indonesia Earthquake 7.4 Today
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Infrastructure: Initial assessments indicate light to severe damage in parts of Ternate and Bitung. Notable structures affected include a church and several residential houses. In Pulau Batang Dua, local officials reported “cracked walls and fallen roof tiles” across several neighborhoods.Indonesia Earthquake 7.4 Today
Tsunami Alert and Coastal Impact
Immediately following the tremor, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) and Indonesia’s BMKG (Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency) issued alerts for coastal regions within 1,000 km of the epicenter. Indonesia Earthquake 7.4 Today
Small tsunami waves were indeed recorded at several monitoring stations about 30 minutes after the quake. The highest wave, measuring 75 centimeters (approximately 2.5 feet), was observed in North Minahasa, North Sulawesi. Other waves ranging from 20cm to 35cm were recorded in Bitung and Sidangoli. Indonesia Earthquake 7.4 Today
7.4-magnitude quake off Indonesia kills one, tsunami warning lifted
Indonesia Earthquake 7.4 Today
Magnitude 7.4 quake hits off Indonesia’s Ternate
India’s Response and Safety for Travelers
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Indian Embassy in Jakarta are reportedly monitoring the situation. While no Indian citizens have been reported among the casualties, there are several thousand Indian expats and tourists in Indonesia, particularly in Bali and Jakarta. Indonesia Earthquake 7.4 Today
Current Situation: Aftershocks and Recovery
The BMKG has recorded nearly 50 aftershocks following the main event, with the largest measuring 5.5 magnitude.
“We had just woken up, and suddenly the house was dancing,” said Marten Mandagi, a resident of Bitung. “The shaking was very strong. We ran out immediately. Even though the tsunami warning is gone, we are staying on the streets for now because the aftershocks keep coming.” Indonesia Earthquake 7.4 Today
Emergency crews from the Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) are currently conducting door-to-door checks in the most affected villages of Ternate and Bitung to ensure no one remains trapped under rubble. Indonesia Earthquake 7.4 Today
Quick Facts for Reference
| Category | Detail |
| Location | Molucca Sea, Indonesia |
| Magnitude | 7.4 |
| Tsunami Height | Max 0.75 meters (75 cm) |
| Fatalities | 1 (Confirmed) |
| Status | Tsunami Warning Lifted; Aftershocks ongoing |
Current Status: Friday, April 3
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Aftershocks: Over 50 aftershocks have been recorded since the main quake. A significant 5.0-magnitude tremor was recorded earlier today (Friday) near Bitung, keeping residents on edge.
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Restoration: Power has been largely restored in Ternate and Manado. Indonesia Earthquake 7.4 Today
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Safety Advice: Authorities (BMKG) continue to urge coastal residents to stay vigilant. While the tsunami risk is gone, aftershocks can still cause damaged buildings to collapse. Indonesia Earthquake 7.4 Today
Panic During the Breakfast Rush
The timing of the quake—just before 7:00 AM—caught many families in the middle of their morning routines.
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Siti Rohayati, a 58-year-old street food vendor, was already serving customers when the ground gave way. “I didn’t know what to do. I was just trying to save my family,” she told AFP. In the chaos of the breakfast rush, her only instinct was to push her three children toward the exit, shouting for them to run. Indonesia Earthquake 7.4 Today
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The “Half-Finished” Escape: In neighboring Ternate, resident Budi Nurgianto observed the sheer panic of the moment. He reported seeing neighbors sprinting out of their homes in various states of undress—some having literally bolted from the bathroom mid-shower to avoid being trapped inside. Indonesia Earthquake 7.4 Today
The Human Toll in Manado
While most of the city escaped with minor structural damage, the “dizzying” tremor turned fatal for one resident. Deitje Leiha, a 70-year-old woman, was tragically killed when a building belonging to the National Sports Committee (KONI) collapsed, burying her under the rubble. Indonesia Earthquake 7.4 Today
Why It Felt Different
Seismologists point out that because the quake occurred at a relatively shallow depth of 35 km, the surface vibrations were much more violent than a deeper quake of the same magnitude would have been. This explains the “dizzying” and “rolling” sensations described by survivors across North Sulawesi.
As of this morning, Friday, April 3, many Manado residents remain wary, with some still choosing to sleep in open areas or ground-floor rooms as aftershocks continue to ripple through the Molucca Sea.