A shallow 6.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Sulawesi Island in Indonesia on Tuesday, according to the US Geological Survey. The quake's epicenter was located 43 kilometers (27 miles) east-southeast of Palu, the capital of Central Sulawesi province, at a depth of about 10 kilometers.

No tsunami warning was issued, but patients in several hospitals were evacuated as a precaution. There were no immediate reports of casualties or major damage. The National Disaster Management Agency said it was still collecting information on the extent of damage and possible displaced residents.

The initial tremor was followed by several aftershocks, the strongest of which measured 5.2 magnitude. Footage from the affected area showed damaged structures with collapsed roofs and scattered debris. Effendi Natali, general manager of a four-star hotel in Palu, told the Associated Press that all guests had been evacuated safely and the hotel sustained only minor damage.

Palu resident Nurhaidar described the moment the earthquake hit: "Suddenly, it was like there was a jolt, and then the whole house seemed to shake. The entire roof was making noise, like it was about to collapse. I hurried to evacuate with all the kids, and even though we were disoriented, we managed to get out."

Indonesia lies on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," a highly seismically active zone where earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are common. In 2018, Palu was devastated by a 7.5-magnitude earthquake that triggered a 3-meter (10-foot) tsunami and soil liquefaction, killing thousands and burying entire neighborhoods.

Source: www.dw.com