1 dead as 7.6-magnitude quake hits eastern Indonesia, tsunami warning lifted

Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has lifted the tsunami early warning issued after a powerful 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck the Maluku region of eastern Indonesia on Thursday morning, following monitoring that showed no significant sea level changes.

A woman was found dead during the rescue efforts after the earthquake. The victim, a 70-year-old resident of Minahasa Regency in North Sulawesi, was killed when she was hit by falling debris from a collapsing building during the quake, according to the local search and rescue team in Manado, the capital city of North Sulawesi.

The country's National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) announced on Thursday morning that a strong earthquake hit the waters southeast of Bitung City, North Sulawesi. Very intense shaking lasted 10 to 20 seconds in Bitung and nearby areas.

The BNPB stated that two aftershocks centered at sea have also been recorded, and preliminary impact data suggest light to moderate damage in Ternate.

The tremors caused panic as residents hurried out of their homes. Images and videos posted on social media showed major structural damage, with collapsed ceilings on the ground and building frames visibly warped.

The BNPB stated that the earthquake could potentially cause a tsunami in North Maluku and North Sulawesi, issuing early warning alerts with "alert" and "caution" statuses.

Local governments were urged to instruct residents to evacuate, while those living in coastal areas were advised to avoid beaches and riverbanks and follow official guidance.