JAKARTA: A massive earthquake struck the Southeast Asian nation of Indonesia causing massive damage across the country. The quake took place at 12.47 AM local time under the seabed according to reports.
According to reports, the epicentre of the quake was located about 148 km northwest of the Maluku Tenggara Barat (Kepulauan Tanimbar) district of the Maluku province and about 131 km under the sea bed. The tremors were felt across the country and in the nearby regions. Locations as far as Australia also reported feeling this earthquake. This led to the issuing of a tsunami warning with immediate effect for the provinces of Maluku and Southeast Sulawesi.
Reports from the local authorities mentioned that there were multiple aftershocks of intensities ranging from weak to moderate levels were felt in the region. The administration and disaster management authorities also shifted about 2000 residents of the Maluku province amidst fears of a possible tsunami.
According to several reports, the local authorities had confirmed that several houses and buildings have been completely damaged while many more have developed cracks due to the earthquake. But there was no information about injuries or fatalities in the preliminary reports.
Following the emergency drills undertaken in the past in preparation for a possible tsunami, the locals rushed to higher grounds from the coastal regions.
A 9.3 intensity on the Richter Scale had triggered a severe tsunami on December 26, 2004. Originating on the west coast of Northern Sumatra, it had caused extensive damage in the country.
A moderate earthquake of 5.6 intensity on the Richter scale led to the death of more than 300 people in the Java province of the country on November 21, 2022. Loss of power at essential locations and structural damages to infrastructures led to the increase in losses of both life and property.
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