Earthquake shakes Buol, residents flee to mountains

A magnitude 5.4 earthquake jolted Buol Regency in Indonesia's Central Sulawesi province on Sunday night, causing damage to several buildings and prompting some residents to seek safety on higher ground. The quake, which struck around 8:46 PM local time, did not generate a tsunami, according to the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG). However, its tremors were felt strongly in Buol and surrounding areas, including Tolitoli and Parigi Moutong, and even reached Marisa and Tilamuta in Gorontalo province.

Local disaster management officials reported damage to a public service mall, parts of a hospital ward at RSUD Buol, the inspectorate office, a restaurant, and several houses. In response to the tremors, some residents evacuated their homes, seeking refuge in areas like Gunung Kali, which they considered safer.

Buol Deputy Regent Moh Nasir Dj Daimaroto urged residents to remain calm and avoid panic, emphasizing that excessive fear could be dangerous. He also stressed the importance of verifying information, advising people to trust only official sources like BMKG and BPBD and to disregard unconfirmed reports or hoaxes.

Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation. The head of the Buol Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Moh Kachfi Mardjuni, confirmed that initial reports included one death, a patient at the Buol Regional General Hospital who was affected by the earthquake. The agency, along with local government and provincial BPBD, is assessing the damage and the needs of the affected population.