A 6.0-magnitude earthquake jolted Indonesia’s central Sulawesi in the early hours of Sunday, leaving at least 29 people injured, including two in critical condition. The tremor, which struck at a shallow depth of 1 km (0.6 miles), shook Poso Regency and surrounding regions, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) confirmed.
Churches and Buildings Damaged
Among the most dramatic scenes unfolded in local churches. One church suffered visible damage, while parts of another under renovation collapsed, trapping several worshippers beneath the rubble.
A viral video from Poso showed congregants singing hymns when the quake hit. Within seconds, the hymns gave way to screams as people rushed for safety. Another surveillance video captured shelves and goods rattling violently inside a grocery store as terrified shoppers scrambled for cover.
BNPB officials confirmed there were no immediate reports of deaths. Rescue crews quickly arrived to help the injured and inspect the damage to the infrastructure.
Significant magnitude 6.1 #earthquake 14 km north of #Poso, #Indonesia
A shallow magnitude 6.1 earthquake was reported early morning near Poso, Kabupaten Poso, Sulawesi Tengah, Indonesia.
According to Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency, the quake hit… pic.twitter.com/3gIMSlXBRH— ⚡️🌎 World News 🌐⚡️ (@ferozwala) August 17, 2025
No Tsunami Warning Issued
Despite the quake’s strength and shallow depth, no tsunami warnings were triggered. Authorities urged calm but warned residents to remain cautious, as aftershocks remain possible in the coming days.
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A Region Prone to Deadly Quakes
Indonesia sits precariously on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, one of the world’s most seismically volatile zones, where tectonic plates collide, triggering frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
The latest jolt comes barely a month after a historic 8.8-magnitude earthquake off Russia’s far east coast, which sent tsunami alerts across the Pacific from Japan and Hawaii to Chile and Mexico.
Indonesia itself has a grim history of devastating quakes. Cianjur, West Java, was hit by a shallow 5.6-magnitude earthquake in 2022, which left over 600 people dead, almost 8,000 injured, and over 62,000 dwellings damaged.
On-Going Rescue
Disaster authorities are now evaluating structural damage across Poso Regency and monitoring for possible aftershocks. Hospitals are still caring for the injured, and emergency personnel have established makeshift shelters for displaced families.
Officials say the incident underscores the urgent need for earthquake preparedness in Indonesia, where millions live in high-risk seismic zones.
