An offshore earthquake has jolted eastern Indonesia, leaving at least one person dead, damaging homes, and briefly sending small tsunami waves toward nearby coastlines.
The 7.4-magnitude quake struck beneath the Molucca Sea on Thursday morning at a depth of about 35 kilometres, according to the United States Geological Survey.
Within minutes, monitoring stations began detecting changes in sea levels across parts of the region.
Police officers inspect a damaged building following an earthquake in Manado. (AP)
Indonesia’s meteorology agency said waves measuring around 30 centimetres were recorded in West Halmahera, while smaller surges of about 20 centimetres reached Bitung.
In the southern Philippines, minor fluctuations of roughly five centimetres were also recorded, though officials later confirmed there was no broader tsunami threat.
The shaking was felt across multiple areas, including the coastal city of Bitung and Ternate in North Maluku province, where tremors lasted up to 20 seconds and sent residents rushing outside.
Early damage assessments point to light to moderate impacts.
In Ternate, a church on Batang Dua Island was affected, and at least two homes were damaged in the city’s south.
Authorities are still working to determine the full extent of destruction in other areas.
Indonesia’s search and rescue agency said a 70-year-old woman was killed in North Sulawesi’s Minahasa district after being struck during the quake.
Another person was reported injured.
Officials have urged caution as conditions continue to stabilise.
Disaster management spokesperson Abdul Muhari warned coastal communities to stay away from shorelines until an official all-clear is issued.
Several aftershocks followed the initial quake, both occurring offshore. While they were felt locally, authorities said they did not pose a tsunami risk.
Onlookers gather as police officers inspect a damaged building following an earthquake in Manado. (AP)
Indonesia sits along a network of active fault lines within the Pacific Ring of Fire, making earthquakes a frequent hazard across the sprawling archipelago of more than 280 million people.
– Reported with Associated Press
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