Selayar residents describe powerful magnitude 7 earthquake in NTT

Residents of Indonesia's Selayar Island in South Sulawesi recounted the intense experience of a magnitude 7 earthquake that struck East Nusa Tenggara on Saturday. The powerful tremor, centered near Mbay Nagekeo, was widely felt, with its vibrations reaching as far as South Sulawesi and Bali.

Indo, a resident of Rajuni Island in the Selayar Islands, described the ground shaking violently around 6:04 AM local time. "It felt so strong above the house while I was reciting the Quran, I ran downstairs," she said. Initially believing she was the only one affected, Indo soon realized her neighbors were also in a state of panic, confirming the severity of the earthquake's impact.

The earthquake prompted tsunami warnings for several regions, including parts of East Nusa Tenggara, Southeast Sulawesi, and South Sulawesi. A small tsunami, measuring 0.3 meters, was recorded in Labuan Bajo. Several facilities were reported damaged in the aftermath, underscoring the destructive potential of the seismic event.

The affected areas for the tsunami warning included northern Manggarai, northern Ngada, northern Ende, northern Sikka, and the islands of Ende and Sikka, extending to Flores. In West Nusa Tenggara, warnings were issued for Bima Pulau Sangiang, Bima Pulau Gili, northern Bima City, and Dompu. South Sulawesi regions under warning included Jeneponto, Bantaeng, Selayar, Bone, Wajo, and the regencies of Luwu Timur, Luwu Utara, and Palopo City. Baubau City in Southeast Sulawesi was also included.

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It felt so strong above the house while I was reciting the Quran, I ran downstairs.