The Meteorology Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) reported that the magnitude 6.9 earthquake was felt as far away as Palu, the provincial capital, located more than 3,000 kilometers from the earthquake-stricken area.

Three minutes later, the BMKG announced that the earthquake had the potential of causing a tsunami. People became more panicked. They immediately left beach areas and ran to higher ground. In hilly Luwuk, for example, they went up into the hills, looking for safer places.

“We still remember what happened in Palu,” local resident Emiliana Rumayer told The Jakarta Post on the next day upon returning to her home with her whole family, referring to the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit the province in September last year.

The BMKG had actually revoked its tsunami warning at 10:30 p.m. local time, but some people nevertheless preferred to stay on higher ground while waiting for morning to come.

The BMKG later revised its estimate of the magnitude of the earthquake, saying it was 6.8, and reported the epicenter was located in Tolo Bay, 82 km to the southwest of Banggai Islands at a depth of 17 km.

It was categorized as a shallow earthquake likely caused by movement of the Peleng fault line from Peleng Island to Tolo Bay from the southwest to the northeast.

On Saturday, a week after the strong jolt, a magnitude 5 earthquake shook the islands at 7:55 a.m. The BMKG issued a warning but reported that it did not bring a potential tsunami.

In September, the earthquake and ensuing tsunami that devastated Central Sulawesi resulted in at least Rp 13.8 trillion (US$911 million) worth of economic losses, according to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB).

At least 2,256 people were killed, 4,612 injured and 223,751 displaced from their homes as a result of the disasters that hit the regions of Palu, Donggala, Sigi and Parigi Moutong.

Also damaged in the quake were 68,451 houses, 327 places of worship, 265 schools, 78 office buildings and 362 shops.

The head of the BMKG’s Central Sulawesi office, Cahyo Nugroho, said the Banggai earthquake earlier this month could be felt in Poso, Buol, Morowali, Banggai and Palu.

Banggai Islands are located in an area that is prone to earthquakes and tsunami because of the presence of several active fault lines, such as the Naik Batui, Balantak, Ambelang and Peleng.

History has recorded a number of tsunamis that have hit the area. In 1858, one devastated many villages along the Banggai Islands’ coast. Another tsunami hit the area the following year, destroying many buildings along its coast.

A magnitude 7.5 earthquake in 2000 triggered a tsunami that hit Luwuk, Banggai and Peleng. The tsunami was estimated to have been between three and six meters in height in Totikum, Kayutanyo and Uwedikan districts, reaching some 100 meters from the waterline.

At least 54 were killed and 264 others were injured. The tsunami also destroyed 19,378 houses and 580 public buildings and facilities including 475 schools and 349 houses of worship.

“Because of the frequent earthquakes in Banggai and the earthquake in Palu, people have become more cautious,” said Banggai Regent Herwin Yatim.

He added that he would continue encouraging the local disaster mitigation agency (BPBD Banggai) to implement measurable disaster mitigation. He said there should be evacuation locations prepared before another disaster strikes.

“So when a disaster like this occurs, people will know where to go to save themselves,” Herwin said.

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