Earthquake strikes Indonesia, causing at least 34 fatalities
A 6.2-magnitude earthquake has struck the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia, killing 34 people and injuring hundreds more
The earthquake struck at 1:28 a.m. local time – the epicentre being northeast of Majene city, according to Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG). At least eight of the deaths were reported in Majene, where almost 700 injuries have also been reported. Twenty-six additional deaths have been reported in Mamuju.
At a press conference, Dwikorita Karnawati, Chief of the BMKG, said that there were 26 aftershocks – which have caused landslides – and more could be expected. Many buildings, including Mitra Manakara private hospital, were also damaged by the earthquake and subsequent landslides, and rescue efforts are currently underway to attempt to retrieve people believed to be trapped under collapsed buildings, who were likely sleeping in their homes when the earthquake struck.
While the local meteorological agency has confirmed the earthquake has not triggered a tsunami, many citizens have abandoned their properties to move to higher ground.
The latest earthquake follows a string of others that have struck Indonesia over the past week (located in the Pacific Ocean’s ‘Ring of Fire’, Indonesia regularly experiences earthquakes) and marks the latest tragedy following the Indonesian plane crash on 9 January.