Magnitude 5.1 Earthquake Shakes Buol, Central Sulawesi; Residents Flee to Higher Ground

A magnitude 5.1 earthquake jolted Buol Regency in Central Sulawesi on Sunday night, prompting widespread panic and causing residents to evacuate to higher ground. The tremor struck at 8:46 PM Western Indonesian Time (WIB), with its epicenter located approximately 37 kilometers northeast of Buol at a depth of 21 kilometers.

The Head of the Central Sulawesi Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Asbudianto, reported that the local disaster management team is currently assessing the situation on the ground. "Currently, residents are evacuating to higher ground as a precautionary measure due to the panic after the earthquake," Asbudianto stated. The agency is still compiling data on the number of affected residents, displaced individuals, casualties, and urgent needs.

In addition to the public's anxious response, the earthquake led to power outages in several areas. The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) confirmed that the tectonic earthquake did not generate a tsunami, based on its modeling. However, the BPBD urged the public to remain calm, avoid panic, and stay vigilant for potential aftershocks.

Residents were also advised to rely solely on official information from the government and the BMKG. The agency emphasized the importance of following official channels for updates and guidance regarding the seismic activity.