5.3 Magnitude Earthquake Causes Panic in North Gorontalo

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A 5.3 magnitude earthquake centered off the coast of Boroko, North Sulawesi occurred early today, April 8, at 03:45 Central Indonesian Time (WITA). The tremor was felt in North Gorontalo regency, Gorontalo province.

Based on Antara’s report, the people who were into deep sleep even went to panic due to the strong tremor.

“We really felt the shock and [we] also heard a huge rumbling sound, even objects inside the house started to fell off,” said Meutia, a local of Titidu village, Kwandang district.

Read also: BMKG: No Tsunami in Bali Sea`s 5-Magnitude Earthquake

Other citizen named Hairunnisa in Molingkapoto, Kwandang shared the same statement. She admitted to being panic and fled from the house while carrying her child. “I panicked, the earthquake is strong and causes strong shocks to the house’s windows,” she said.

Moreover, the tremor was felt up to the western area of the regency according to the Kasia village head, Sumalata district, Andri Usu.

Based on the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the quake epicenter was located 16 kilometers northwest Baroko, Bolaang Mongondow Utara or Bolmut regency, North Sulawesi or 1.03 degrees north latitude and 123.18 degrees east longitude, at a depth of 13 kilometers.

The BMKG also stated that the earthquake has no tsunami potential. No report is issued yet concerning the quake impact in Boroko.

ANTARA