• A 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck Sulawesi, Indonesia, injuring at least eight people.
• Residents evacuated to open areas, fearing aftershocks and potential tsunamis.
• Scattered damage reported, with hospitals evacuating patients as a precaution.

A 6.7 magnitude earthquake shook part of central Indonesia’s Sulawesi island on Tuesday, injuring at least eight people and causing scattered damage, as residents of the city of Palu reacted with panic. The earthquake sent people fleeing into open areas in and around Palu, the capital of Central Sulawesi province, leading several hospitals to evacuate patients, some of whom were still receiving IV drips, outdoors for safety. Images from the area revealed heavily damaged structures, with partially collapsed roofs and debris littering the streets, according to Channel News Asia and South China Morning Post.

The National Disaster Management Agency continues to gather information on potential casualties and damage. Effendi Natali, the general manager of a local hotel, confirmed that all guests were evacuated, stating, “They all panicked, which is a natural reaction during an earthquake, but everyone is safe,” highlighting that the hotel suffered only minor damage. The quake was initially reported to be centered 43 km east-southeast of Palu, with subsequent aftershocks recorded, the strongest being a magnitude 5.2, according to Los Angeles Times and South China Morning Post.

As a precaution against possible tsunami threats, people moved away from coastal areas, even though Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency indicated there was no immediate danger of a tsunami but cautioned about the likelihood of aftershocks. “The earthquake shaking was extremely strong,” said Palu resident Muhtar Ahmad, who noted that fear from past earthquakes lingered in the community, according to Channel News Asia and Los Angeles Times.

Indonesia is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, making it prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity. Many residents in Sulawesi still bear the trauma of the 2018 earthquake and tsunami that claimed more than 4,000 lives. Past incidents also include a magnitude 6.2 earthquake near Mamuju in January 2021 that resulted in over 100 fatalities, and the community's current response highlights persistent anxiety about seismic events, according to Los Angeles Times and South China Morning Post.