• A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck the Molucca Sea near Ternate, Indonesia, killing at least one person.
• The quake triggered tsunami warnings affecting Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia.
• Initial tsunami alert indicated waves of up to 1 meter could hit coastal areas, later lifted after assessments.
• Witnesses reported strong tremors and damage to buildings in Manado and nearby regions.
• Authorities are conducting damage assessments and urging coastal residents to stay alert.

A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck in the Northern Molucca Sea off Ternate, Indonesia, early Thursday, leading to significant tremors and triggering a tsunami warning for nearby regions including Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia. The quake occurred at a depth of 35 kilometers (21.7 miles) and was reported around 6:48 AM local time, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS) and Channel News Asia.

The US Tsunami Warning System indicated that hazardous tsunami waves were possible within 1,000 kilometers of the epicenter, affecting coastal regions. Wave heights were initially estimated at up to 1 meter, with reports of smaller waves observed shortly after the quake, according to Al Jazeera and South China Morning Post.

One confirmed fatality occurred in Manado, where a woman was killed by falling debris, and another individual sustained injuries attempting to escape a collapsing building. Local authorities confirmed at least one death while coordinating ongoing damage assessments, as reported by BBC and India Times.

Eyewitness accounts describe intense shaking and structural damage in Manado, where residents experienced power outages and panicked evacuations as tremors were felt for an extended period. Aftershocks with magnitudes reaching 5.5 were also recorded following the initial quake, indicating ongoing seismic activity in the area, according to CBS News and Reuters.

As a precaution, local governments urged residents in coastal areas to remain vigilant and prepared for potential evacuations, particularly in historically seismic active areas like Ternate and Tidore, according to Anadolu Agency and Channel News Asia.