A massive 7.4-magnitude earthquake hit eastern Indonesia on Thursday morning. The strong tremor struck the Molucca Sea. It immediately triggered a tsunami warning. Thankfully, officials lifted the alert just two hours later. Authorities confirmed one fatality and one injury in Manado.

Small Waves and Panic

The shallow quake generated waves up to 75 centimetres high. These waves reached coastal areas in North Sulawesi. The shaking caused widespread panic among local residents. Frightened families rushed out of their homes and schools.

Street food vendor Siti Rohayati panicked during the breakfast rush. She focused entirely on saving her family. She pushed her three children to safety and yelled "Run!".

Rescue workers found the single victim under a collapsed building. Emergency teams continue to search the area.

Aftershocks Shake the Region

Dozens of smaller aftershocks rippled through the affected region. The United States Geological Survey recorded a 5.9-magnitude aftershock. Terrified residents stayed outdoors as the shaking continued.

Indonesia sits on the highly active Pacific Ring of Fire. Tectonic plates frequently collide here and cause sudden seismic events.

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