Indonesia Lifts Tsunami Warning After Sulawesi Sea Quake

Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has lifted its early tsunami warning that was issued following a magnitude 7.7 earthquake in the Sulawesi Sea, near the southern coast of Mindanao in the Philippines. The warning was terminated at 10:15 AM Western Indonesia Time after observations indicated no significant rise in sea levels.

BMKG Chief Teuku Faisal Fathani stated that the decision was made to allow disaster response teams, including Basarnas, BPBD, and BNPB, along with the military and police, to proceed with their operations in affected areas without hindrance. "Considering the latest observations from several affected areas, there is no longer any significant sea level rise that poses a danger. Therefore, the tsunami early warning is declared over," he said.

Prior to the warning's cancellation, BMKG coastal tide gauge stations had recorded tsunami wave arrivals in several locations. The highest wave measured 75 centimeters in Palengen, Sangihe, North Sulawesi, at 08:20 AM WIB. Other wave anomalies were detected in Central Sulawesi (45 cm), North Sulawesi (32 cm and 30 cm), Bitung (29 cm), and North Maluku (9 cm and 14 cm).

The earthquake's strongest shaking was felt in Miangas and Melonguane, reaching intensity level VI MMI, capable of causing plaster to fall and minor structural damage. Shaking at level V MMI was recorded in Siau and Tagulandang, while areas like Morotai, North Halmahera, and Manado experienced level IV MMI tremors, strong enough to wake residents. As of 10:00 AM WIB, BMKG had recorded 20 aftershocks, ranging from magnitude 3.9 to 6.7.

Despite the lifted tsunami warning, BMKG urged residents to remain cautious of potential structural damage from aftershocks and to ensure building safety before re-entering structures.

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Considering the latest observations from several affected areas, there is no longer any significant sea level rise that poses a danger. Therefore, the tsunami early warning is declared over.