1 dead as M7.4 earthquake hits Indonesia, tsunami alert lifted

A powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Indonesia’s Northern Molucca Sea on Thursday, leaving one person dead, damaging buildings, and briefly triggering tsunami waves, though authorities later lifted all warnings and said the risk of further casualties remained low.According to Indonesia’s meteorology agency BMKG, tsunami waves were recorded in at least five locations, with the highest reaching 0.75 metres in North Minahasa, North Sulawesi. Around 50 aftershocks were detected following the main tremor, the strongest measuring magnitude 5.8.

M7.4 earthquake hit Molucca Sea near Ternate, Indonesia, Apr 2, 2026 (06:48 local, 35km deep); tsunami warning lifted after small waves. #gempa #sismo

1 dead; buildings damaged in Manado/Ternate.

RS Walanda Maramis continues serving patients despite the quake. https://t.co/UuI440ecfo pic.twitter.com/W4DOiK6Z5h

— GeoTechWar (@geotechwar) April 2, 2026

The agency had initially warned of potential tsunami waves between 0.5 and 3 metres but withdrew the alert later in the day as the situation stabilised. Similarly, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center and U.S. monitoring authorities lifted their advisories after earlier cautioning about possible hazardous waves along parts of Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia.
Authorities confirmed that a woman was found dead during rescue operations following the quake. The victim, a 70-year-old resident of Minahasa regency in North Sulawesi, was killed after being struck by collapsing building debris, according to the local search and rescue team in Manado, the provincial capital.The quake’s epicentre was located about 580 km south of the Philippine coast and at a depth of 35 km. Tremors were strongly felt in cities such as Bitung and Ternate, prompting residents to flee buildings in panic. Witnesses reported items falling from shelves and temporary power outages in some areas.Indonesia’s disaster agency has urged residents to remain vigilant, warning of continued aftershocks and advising people to stay away from damaged structures. “Although relatively small, this situation still requires vigilance due to the potential for aftershocks,” the agency said in a statement.
The Philippines’ seismology agency PHIVOLCS said there was no destructive tsunami threat to the country, while Malaysia’s meteorological department also confirmed no immediate risk, though monitoring continues.Indonesia lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a highly active seismic zone prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity. Despite the strength of Thursday’s quake, experts, including the United States Geological Survey, said the likelihood of large-scale damage or additional casualties remains limited.