A powerful magnitude 7.6 earthquake rocked the regions of North Sulawesi and North Maluku, Indonesia, striking at a depth of 33 kilometers on Thursday, April 2, at 05:48 WITA (Central Indonesia Time). The seismic event has tragically claimed one life to date, as initial reports confirm its impact across the area.
This significant tremor, however, is not an isolated incident for these vulnerable Indonesian provinces. Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), Suharyanto, highlighted the region’s extensive seismic history during a press conference in Jakarta on Thursday, April 2. He stated, “Based on historical records, we possess data for North Sulawesi and North Maluku extending as far back as the year 1600. This clearly indicates a long period marked by numerous disaster occurrences.”
Comparing the recent event to past tremors, Suharyanto noted that the intensity of the current earthquake was not as severe as one that struck in 1998. That earlier seismic event registered a magnitude of 7.7 and tragically resulted in 41 fatalities. Expressing cautious optimism, Suharyanto remarked, “Hopefully, the impact of this current earthquake, although reports are still preliminary, will not be as significant as the one in 1998. That historic event, also measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale [magnitude], claimed 41 lives.”
He further emphasized the importance of ongoing preparedness and mitigation efforts, adding, “This means that if the current impact proves to be less severe, it would signify that the efforts by BNPB and BMKG (Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency) to enhance community readiness and mitigation strategies are yielding positive results.”
Delving deeper into the region’s seismic patterns, Suharyanto revealed that between 2019 and 2025 alone, dozens of earthquakes exceeding magnitude 6 have been recorded in North Sulawesi and North Maluku. This heightened seismic activity spurred collaborative action. He explained, “This critical data formed the basis for BNPB and BMKG’s joint efforts from 2021 to 2025, aimed at significantly enhancing the early warning capabilities for both North Sulawesi and North Maluku.”
The effectiveness of these preparedness measures was evident during the recent event. Suharyanto gratefully confirmed, “And thankfully, parts of our system, particularly the sirens installed by BMKG and BNPB, functioned effectively when the earthquake struck. This allowed the public to hear the early warning through the siren’s sound and immediately seek safety, underscoring the success of these crucial disaster mitigation initiatives.”
Summary
A 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck North Sulawesi