Central Sulawesi declares earthquake emergency response for one week

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) confirmed that the Central Sulawesi Provincial Government has declared an Earthquake Emergency Response Status following a magnitude 6.7 tectonic earthquake that affected thousands of residents across five districts and cities in the province.

The Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Center, Abdul Muhari, on Thursday said the status was enacted in Gubernatorial Decree No. 300.2.1/199/BPBD-6-ST/2026, valid for seven days, from June 17 to 23, 2026.

Furthermore, the Sigi District Government is also preparing to declare a 14-day emergency response status, similar to the provincial government.

"The declaration of this emergency response status aims to expedite the response process on the field," Muhari explained.

Based on the latest finding on Wednesday (June 17), the number of residents affected by the earthquake has increased significantly, reaching at least 2,012 families, or 6,458 people.

The hardest-hit area was Sigi District, where 1,991 families, or 6,418 people, were affected; followed by Parigi Moutong District with 21 affected families, totaling 40 residents, while data from Palu, Donggala, and Poso is still being updated.

Data from the BNPB also recorded one death in Sigi, while 79 people were injured, consisting of 15 suffering serious injuries and 64 suffering minor injuries.

The earthquake also caused extensive damage to physical infrastructure, including 1,456 houses with minor damage, 112 with moderate damage, and 47 severely damaged. Dozens of public facilities were also affected, including 35 places of worship, 10 schools, and 11 office buildings.

Furthermore, field operations continue to face challenges, as communication and transportation access to North Lore Sub-district in Poso remains cut off. Meanwhile, the Palu III Bridge in Palu City has been fully closed after structural cracks were found, posing a safety risk.

Muhari ensured that medical services at the affected hospitals continue to run smoothly, with several patients who had been evacuated to emergency tents gradually being transferred back to treatment rooms.

The agency recorded at least 13 aftershocks, ranging in magnitude from 4.0 to 4.2, as of Wednesday afternoon. The public is advised to remain vigilant and avoid cracked buildings until officials declare them safe.

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Translator: M. Riezko Bima, Resinta Sulistiyandari

Editor: Azis Kurmala

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