6.7 magnitude earthquake jolts Indonesia

A 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck parts of Indonesia on Tuesday, sending strong tremors across the region and triggering a series of aftershocks, authorities said.

The initial quake caused intense shaking lasting more than a minute. There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties, Reports AP.

According to the US Geological Survey, the earthquake was centred about 46 kilometres east-southeast of Palu, the capital of Central Sulawesi province, at a depth of around 10 kilometres. A second tremor, measuring 5.2 in magnitude, was recorded shortly afterwards.

Indonesia sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” and is frequently affected by seismic activity due to the presence of multiple tectonic fault lines, making earthquakes and volcanic eruptions relatively common.

In January 2021, a 6.2 magnitude earthquake near the city of Mamuju on Sulawesi island killed at least 100 people, while thousands were forced to sleep outdoors for days amid fears of aftershocks.