A massive 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck the eastern coast of Indonesia early Thursday morning, triggering immediate tsunami warnings and widespread panic. According to the US Geological Survey, the quake occurred at 6:48 AM local time, with its epicenter located 35 km deep in the Molucca Sea, between Sulawesi and Maluku islands.

The city of Manado bore the brunt of the destruction, where a major building collapsed, claiming one life and leaving others injured. Residents described the tremors lasting for over a minute, followed by at least 11 aftershocks, the strongest measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially flagged risks for Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia, recording wave heights of up to 75 cm in North Minahasa.

Fortunately, the tsunami warning was lifted after two hours as the threat subsided. This seismic event has reignited traumatic memories of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, though authorities currently confirm that the immediate danger has passed and damage assessments are underway.