6.2 Magnitude Earthquake in Indonesia's Sulawesi Island Expands Damage...At Least 30 Dead

Over 600 Injured, More Than 3,000 Displaced
Multiple Earthquakes Since Afternoon...Damage Increasing

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2 on the Richter scale struck Central Sulawesi Island in Indonesia, resulting in at least 30 deaths and around 600 injuries. Many residents are still trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings, raising concerns that the scale of the damage may increase further.

According to foreign media including AFP, at around 2:28 a.m. local time on the 15th, a magnitude 6.2 earthquake occurred 36 km south inland from Mamuju, a city in western Sulawesi Island. According to the Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG), the earthquake's epicenter was shallow at a depth of 10 km, which caused significant damage due to building collapses. Following the earthquake, thousands of residents in Mamuju and the nearby city of Majene fled their homes and evacuated to higher ground. No tsunami warning was issued.

The two cities near the epicenter, Mamuju and Majene, had experienced several earthquakes including a magnitude 5.7 tremor since the previous afternoon, culminating in the magnitude 6.2 quake early this morning. The earthquake that struck at dawn caused numerous buildings such as houses, hospitals, hotels, and offices to collapse one after another, trapping many people under debris who were unable to escape in time, resulting in numerous casualties. Indonesian authorities dispatched search and rescue teams at daybreak to carry out recovery operations.

A disaster official from Mamuju stated, "At least 26 people have died in Mamuju alone," adding, "The death toll is expected to rise. Many of the deceased are still buried under the rubble," AFP reported. The Mamuju disaster authorities reported severe collapses of hotels, hospitals, the West Sulawesi governor's office, and small markets. The Majene disaster authorities announced that at least 4 people died, around 600 were injured, and over 3,000 people were displaced.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.