Magnitude 7.6 earthquake strikes eastern Indonesia, causing damage and fatality

A powerful earthquake measuring magnitude 7.6 struck eastern Indonesia on Thursday, 2 April 2026, affecting parts of North Maluku and North Sulawesi provinces, with damage reported in the island city of Ternate and the coastal city of Bitung.

According to Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the earthquake occurred at 05:48 WIB offshore southeast of Bitung. The epicentre was located at coordinates 1.25 degrees north latitude and 126.25 degrees east longitude, at a depth of 62 kilometres.

Ternate is situated in North Maluku, an archipelagic province in eastern Indonesia comprising hundreds of islands between the larger landmasses of Sulawesi and Papua. The city lies on Ternate Island, just off the western coast of Halmahera.

Meanwhile, Bitung is located in North Sulawesi on the northeastern tip of Sulawesi island, facing the Maluku Sea. Both locations lie within a seismically active region along the Pacific Ring of Fire.

The tremor was felt very strongly for between 10 and 20 seconds in Bitung and surrounding areas, and was also strongly felt in Ternate, prompting residents to flee their homes in panic.

“Yes, the quake was quite strong; all of us inside the house rushed outside,” said a Ternate resident, describing how the shaking intensified rapidly and caused buildings to sway.

Preliminary data from Indonesia’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) indicated light to moderate damage in Ternate. One church building in Batang Dua District sustained significant damage, with debris scattered inside. Two houses in the Ganbesi sub-district of South Ternate were also reported damaged.

The earthquake resulted in at least one confirmed fatality.

Authorities in Bitung reported that one person died after being struck by falling debris during the incident.

Another individual sustained injuries, including a broken leg after reportedly jumping from a shop, and is receiving treatment.

Two aftershocks were recorded following the main quake, measuring magnitude 5.5 and 5.2. Both were centred at sea and were felt by residents.

Indonesia’s tsunami early warning system detected small waves following the earthquake, measuring approximately 0.3 metres in West Halmahera and 0.2 metres in Bitung. Although relatively minor, authorities warned that vigilance remains necessary.

BNPB has urged residents, particularly those in coastal areas of North Sulawesi and North Maluku, to stay away from shorelines and avoid returning to vulnerable areas until an official all-clear is issued.

The agency also called on the public to remain calm, follow official instructions, and avoid spreading unverified information as monitoring continues.