Dompet Dhuafa’s Rapid Response to the 7.6-Magnitude Earthquake That Rocked Sulawesi and North Maluku, Which Could Trigger a Tsunami

NORTH SULAWESI —-— An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.6 struck the waters off Bitung and Manado, North Sulawesi. The quake occurred on Thursday (April 2, 2026) at 6:48 a.m. WITA and was felt by residents in Bitung and Manado, North Sulawesi, as well as in Ternate, North Maluku.

Abdul Muhari, Head of the Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Center at the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), explained that the epicenter was located at coordinates 1.25°N and 126.25°E, at a depth of 62 kilometers.

“The tremors were felt very strongly for 10 to 20 seconds in the city of Bitung and its surroundings, and were also felt strongly in the city of Ternate, North Maluku Province, causing people to panic and rush out of their homes,” said Abdul in his official statement on Thursday (April 2, 2026).

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The earthquake reportedly caused damage to homes and public facilities. One of the buildings that suffered severe damage from the earthquake was the KONI Manado building. It was reported that one person died after being struck by falling debris. This incident also drew the attention of Dompet Dhuafa through its Disaster Management Center (DMC).

Eka Suwandi, Head of the Emergency Response, Recovery, and Reconstruction Division at Dompet Dhuafa’s DMC, stated that the DMC team, through the Dompet Dhuafa North Sulawesi Branch and volunteers in Manado, has moved to the KONI Manado building—which collapsed due to the earthquake—to clear debris and conduct a field assessment.

“Through the Dompet Dhuafa North Sulawesi Branch and volunteers in North Maluku, we continue to monitor the situation and coordinate with various parties, and we are grateful that so far the situation is reported to remain relatively stable,” explained Eka.

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As of 9:00 PM WITA on the same day, according to real-time monitoring by the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), there have been over 200 seismic events—albeit with varying magnitudes, depths, and coordinates—in the waters off North Maluku.

“We extend our sympathies to the families of those who lost their lives in this incident, and hope the situation remains safe and under control,” Eka added.

Let’s offer our support, prayers, and remember to always stay prepared. (Dompet Dhuafa)

Text and photos: Muhammad Afriza Adha, DD Maluku, DMC

Editor: Dhika