International
oi-Prakash KL
A powerful earthquake measuring 6.7 on the Richter scale shook Palu and surrounding areas in Central Sulawesi on Tuesday morning. The tremor, which struck at around 11:30 a.m. local time (10:30 a.m. Jakarta time), had its epicenter located about 42 kilometers southeast of Palu at a depth of 10 kilometers, according to Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG).
The quake was strongly felt in Palu, Sigi, Donggala, and Tojo Una-Una regencies, prompting residents to rush out of homes and buildings in panic. Many gathered in open spaces, while some moved away from coastal areas as a precaution against possible aftershocks.
A magnitude 6.7 earthquake occurred 46 km ESE of Palu, Indonesia, at 03:27 GMT on Tuesday, according to the US Geological Survey.
“The shaking was quite strong and lasted for several seconds. Residents immediately ran outside because they feared aftershocks,” one Palu resident told Jakarta Globe.
Authorities confirmed there was no tsunami threat and reported no immediate casualties or major damage as of Tuesday afternoon. Officials are continuing to assess the situation in affected regions.
Residents have been urged to remain calm, rely on official updates, and avoid spreading unverified information through social media or messaging platforms.
Indonesia is one of the world’s most seismically active countries due to its location where major tectonic plates meet, with the United States Geological Survey ranking it as the most seismically active country globally, followed by Chile and Japan.
Recent major earthquakes in Indonesia (2020-2026)
The most deadly recent earthquake was the November 21, 2022 West Java earthquake (magnitude 5.6) that killed between 335 to 635 people with 7,729 injuries and caused extreme damage in the Cianjur region. Earlier that month on December 3, 2022, a 5.7 magnitude quake in West Java caused slight damage with 2 injuries.
The September 28, 2018 Sulawesi earthquake (magnitude 7.5) was catastrophic, killing 4,340 people with 10,679 injuries and generating a major tsunami with waves up to 11 meters that left more than 600 people missing. This earthquake caused severe damage in Palu and Donggala.
The February 25, 2022 Sumatra earthquake (magnitude 6.1) killed 27 people with 457 injuries and caused severe damage in the Aceh region. The January 14, 2021 Sulawesi earthquake (magnitude 6.2) killed 105 people with 3,369 injuries.
In 2026, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck North Maluku on April 1, killing 1 person with 2 injuries. Earlier in 2026, a February 5 East Java earthquake (magnitude 5.8) killed 1 person with 47 injuries and damaged hundreds of buildings. The August 17, 2025 Sulawesi earthquake (magnitude 5.8) killed 2 people with 42 injuries and caused severe damage.
