6.7 magnitude earthquake strikes Indonesia's Sulawesi

A powerful 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia's Sulawesi island on Tuesday, June 16, followed by several strong aftershocks.

The tremor was felt in Palu, the capital of Central Sulawesi province, for more than a minute. No immediate casualties were reported, though several hospitals evacuated patients as a precaution.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the epicentre was located 43 kilometres east-southeast of Palu at a depth of approximately 10 kilometres. The strongest aftershock measured 5.2 magnitude.

Authorities said there was no tsunami threat from the earthquake.

The quake revived painful memories for Sulawesi residents, as a devastating 7.5 magnitude earthquake in 2018 triggered a three-metre tsunami in Palu, causing widespread liquefaction that swallowed entire neighbourhoods and killed more than 4,000 people. In January 2021, a 6.2 magnitude earthquake near Mamuju city killed at least 100 people.