A magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck waters near Bitung, North Sulawesi, on Thursday morning at 06:48 Wita, triggering an early tsunami warning for North Sulawesi and North Maluku. Strong shaking was felt as far as Manado and Gorontalo, resulting in two casualties in Manado. BMKG confirmed the location at 1.25 N, 126.27 E, depth 62 km.
The tectonic earthquake of magnitude 7.6 occurred in waters 127 km southeast of Bitung, North Sulawesi, on April 2, 2026, at 05:48 WIB. Initial BMKG data recorded magnitude 7.3 at 18 km depth, later updated to 7.6 and 62 km. Shaking lasted about one minute and was strongly felt in Manado, Gorontalo, and surrounding areas.
In Manado, two residents were casualties, according to Basarnas North Sulawesi spokesman Nuriadin Gumeleng. "One victim died crushed by rubble and has been taken to hospital, the other has a broken leg from jumping out of a shop," he said. Residents like Deysi in Malalayang described the quake as very strong with household items rattling, while driver Fanli stopped his vehicle due to swaying electricity poles.
BMKG issued an early tsunami warning for seven areas. Muhammad Zulkifli, Coordinator for Data and Information at BMKG Manado Station, listed tsunami alert zones including Ternate, Halmahera, Tidore in North Maluku; and Bitung, southern Minahasa, southern Minahasa Selatan, and southern Minahasa Utara in North Sulawesi. Vigilance areas include Sangihe Islands and others.
"The public is urged to remain calm and not be influenced by unaccountable rumors," Zulkifli said. Residents are advised to check damaged buildings before returning home and follow official BMKG information.
