A magnitude 6.7 earthquake rattled part of Indonesia’s central Sulawesi island Tuesday, injuring at least eight people, sparking scattered damage and shaking residents of a city devastated by a quake and tsunami eight years ago.
The powerful shaking sent people fleeing into open areas in and around Palu, a city of roughly 400,000 people and the capital of Central Sulawesi province. Several hospitals moved patients outdoors as a safety measure, some still hooked to IV drips.
Three regencies near the epicenter — home to a combined 1.2 million people — have yet to be fully assessed. The National Search and Rescue Agency reported at least eight injuries in Sigi, with victims rushed to a nearby hospital, including two in serious condition.
Images from the area revealed heavily damaged structures, with partially collapsed roofs, shattered walls and debris littering the streets. The National Disaster Management Agency said it was still gathering information on the damage, possible casualties and displaced residents.
“We’ve evacuated all guests from the hotel, including several who stayed in their rooms,” said Effendi Natali, general manager of a four-star hotel in Palu.
“They all panicked, which is a natural reaction during an earthquake, but everyone is safe,” Natali said, adding that the hotel sustained only minor damage.
The initial quake was centered 43 kilometers (27 miles) east-southeast of Palu, and the U.S. Geological Survey said it struck at a depth of about 10 kilometers (6 miles). Several aftershocks followed, the strongest reaching 5.2 magnitude.
People also moved away from coastal areas as a precaution against a possible tsunami. Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysical Agency said there was no tsunami danger but warned that aftershocks could continue.
“The earthquake shaking was extremely strong,” said Palu resident Muhtar Ahmad. “We are still traumatized by the previous earthquake, so we chose to remain outside because we are afraid that aftershocks may continue.”
Indonesia sits crossed by several seismic faults, making earthquakes and volcanic activity common.
Many Sulawesi residents remain haunted by the magnitude 7.5 earthquake that devastated Palu in 2018, triggering a 3-meter (10-foot) high tsunami and a phenomenon called liquefaction, in which soil collapses into itself. The disaster killed more than 4,000 people, including many who were buried when entire neighborhoods sank into the falling ground.
In January 2021, a magnitude 6.2 earthquake near the city of Mamuju on Sulawesi island killed at least 100 people, with thousands sleeping outdoors for days out of fear of aftershocks.
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