News / News Bulletin

Indonesia: 7.5 magnitude Earthquake shakes buildings in Sulawesi island

Friday, 28 September 2018 9:34 PM [ Last Update: Friday, 28 September 2018 9:38 PM ]

This handout photograph taken and released on September 28, 2018 by Indonesia's National Agency for Disaster Management (BNPB) shows a collapsed shopping mall in Palu, Central Sulawesi, after a strong earthquake hit the area. (AFP)

Buildings were damaged and one person died after two earthquakes and a series of aftershocks struck off the coast of Indonesia on Friday, September 28, evening, according to local authorities.

The first quake was measured at a magnitude of a strong 7.5 off the coast of the island of Sulawesi, the US Geological Survey said, and was followed by at least 10 aftershocks.

It destroyed houses, killing one person and injuring at least 10 in the town of Donggala, which sits 35 miles (56 kilometers) from the epicenter of the quake, said spokesman for the National Disaster Mitigation Agency, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho.

Videos posted on social media showed buildings shaking and residents fleeing to safe areas outdoors in the regions of Mamuju and Luwu Timur.

The second earthquake hit as the sun was setting and the extent of the damage will not be known until the morning. Indonesia sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire and is regularly hit by earthquakes.

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