6.1 magnitude earthquake strikes near Indonesia’s Modisi, residents report strong tremors

A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck near Modisi, Indonesia, on Wednesday morning, causing panic among residents. The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the quake occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers, approximately 44 kilometers from Modisi. While no casualties or significant damage have been reported, many locals were forced to flee their homes in fear of aftershocks.

Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) recorded a slightly lower magnitude of 6.0 but confirmed that there was no tsunami threat. The earthquake was strong enough to be felt in surrounding areas, causing objects to rattle inside buildings and prompting people to rush outdoors.

A hotel guest in North Minahasa, Gita Waloni, described the experience, saying, “I had just woken up when I felt the earthquake. It was strong, swaying from side to side. Objects in my room started shaking, and I immediately ran outside. I was terrified of an aftershock while inside the lift.” Many others in the region reported similar reactions, with fear gripping residents as they braced for possible tremors.

Indonesia, located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, is highly prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity. The country has experienced several devastating quakes in the past. In January 2021, a 6.2-magnitude earthquake in Sulawesi killed over 100 people and left thousands homeless. In 2018, a powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake followed by a tsunami in Palu resulted in over 2,200 deaths. The deadliest quake in Indonesia’s history occurred in 2004 when a magnitude-9.1 earthquake in Aceh triggered a massive tsunami, claiming over 170,000 lives in the country.

Meanwhile, earthquakes have also been reported in India recently. On Tuesday, a magnitude 5.1 earthquake struck Kolkata at 6:10 AM, with its epicenter in the Bay of Bengal off the Odisha coast. Earlier, on February 17, a magnitude 4.0 earthquake was recorded in Delhi. While the Kolkata quake was stronger, tremors in Delhi were felt more intensely as the epicenter was closer to the city.

Authorities in Indonesia continue to monitor seismic activity closely, urging residents to remain cautious and follow safety guidelines. With Indonesia’s history of powerful earthquakes, preparedness remains crucial in mitigating potential disasters.