Magnitude 6.7 Earthquake Shakes Palu, Hospital Patients Flee

A powerful magnitude 6.7 earthquake jolted Palu, the capital city of Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 10:27 AM Western Indonesian Time. The tectonic event caused widespread panic, with residents and patients at the local Samaritan Hospital rushing out of buildings in fear.

The Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) reported the earthquake's epicenter was situated at sea, approximately 42 kilometers southeast of Palu. It occurred at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers, contributing to the intensity of the shaking felt on land.

Although the earthquake did not generate a tsunami, its tremors were significantly felt in Palu and extended to the regencies of Sigi, Donggala, and Tojo Una-Una. This prompted many to flee their homes and seek safety in open areas. At Samaritan Hospital, patients, their families, and healthcare workers evacuated the building, with some patients being moved on wheelchairs or their beds to ensure their safety amidst the possibility of aftershocks.

"We ran out because the shaking was very strong," said Salam, a witness at the hospital. Hospital staff worked to manage the evacuation process, ensuring order and the well-being of all patients. The event highlighted the vulnerability of the region to seismic activity, despite the absence of a tsunami threat.

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We ran out because the shaking was very strong.