Powerful 7.4 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Indonesia's Molucca Islands

Molucca. A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia's Molucca Islands on Thursday morning. According to the United States Geological Survey, the quake, initially measured at 7.8, occurred at 6:48 AM local time.

The epicenter was reported to be approximately 120 kilometers from the tourist and historic city of Ternate. Following the natural disaster, the Hawaii-based Tsunami Warning Center issued an alert, warning of potential tsunamis within a 1,000-kilometer radius of the epicenter, affecting coastal areas of Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia.

Tremors were felt as far as Japan, and the Japan Meteorological Agency has issued a warning regarding potential minor sea-level changes along some of its coastlines.

So far, one fatality has been confirmed in the Minahasa region of North Sulawesi, where a 70-year-old woman died after her house collapsed. Videos released by rescue teams show large buildings damaged and furniture scattered across streets in Manado city. The National Sports Committee office building has been severely damaged, and local residents can be seen crying while surveying the collapsed structures.

Two aftershocks measuring 5.5 and 5.2 magnitude have occurred following the main quake, and the National Geological Agency has warned that more powerful aftershocks may follow. Authorities have appealed to the public to stay away from coastal areas and landslide-prone cliffs.