Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported on Friday that several residents in Poso, Central Sulawesi, remained outside their homes following a 6.0-magnitude earthquake on Thursday evening, fearing potential aftershocks.
"As of now, there have been no reports of casualties. However, data collection is ongoing due to power outages and communication disruptions in several areas," said Abdul Muhari, head of BNPB's Data, Information, and Disaster Communication Center, in Jakarta.
Preliminary reports indicated that one house was destroyed near the epicenter, while three others sustained minor damage in the villages of Tokilo and Tindoli in Pamona Tenggara and Pendolo in Pamona Selatan.
The main quake struck at 8:06 p.m. local time, with the epicenter located inland at a depth of 10 kilometers. It was precisely centered at 2.01 degrees south latitude and 120.78 degrees east longitude.
A source mechanism analysis identified the quake as a shallow, strike-slip event triggered by activity along the active Poso Fault Zone.
The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) recorded 11 aftershocks by 8:40 p.m. local time, with magnitudes ranging from 2.4 to 5.5.
Tremors were felt in several regions with varying intensities. In Poso, Kolonodale, and Mangkutana, shaking reached IV–V on the Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) scale, indicating strong vibrations felt by most residents.
In Palopo, Toraja, Mappadeceng, and Bungku, the tremors registered at MMI III–IV, while in Palu, they were felt at MMI II–III.
BMKG confirmed that the earthquake did not trigger a tsunami.
Residents are urged to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information.
