An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.4 struck the Molucca Sea in Indonesia today, resulting in the death of at least one person and triggering small tsunami waves.

The earthquake occurred at a depth of 35 kilometers (22 miles) and was felt strongly in nearby areas. Reports indicate that strong shaking lasted between 10 to 20 seconds in the cities of Bitung and Ternate.

Tsunami waves were recorded at various monitoring stations, measuring 20 centimeters (8 inches) in Bitung and 30 centimeters (1 foot) in West Halmahera. Initial assessments suggest light to moderate damage in parts of Ternate, with ongoing evaluations in Bitung.

A 70-year-old woman from North Sulawesi’s Minahasa district was confirmed dead due to the earthquake. Local resident Marten Mandagi described the moment of the quake, stating, “We had just woken up and suddenly the earthquake hit… we all ran out of the house.”

Following the main quake, at least two aftershocks were recorded, although neither posed a tsunami threat. Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation closely.

Abdul Muhari, a spokesperson for the disaster management agency, emphasized the need for caution, particularly for communities living along the coast, stating, “At this stage, caution is still required, particularly for communities living along the coast.”

Indonesia, a vast archipelago of more than 280 million people, is frequently affected by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions due to its position on the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Details remain unconfirmed as officials continue to assess the impact of the earthquake and the response efforts in affected areas.