Buol Regency, Central Sulawesi, was hit by intense panic following a 5.4-magnitude earthquake on Sunday (12/7) night. The tremor, which was felt quite strongly, forced thousands of residents living in coastal areas to immediately evacuate to the hills out of fear of a tsunami threat.
Nova, a resident of Negeri Lama Village, revealed that the shaking occurred suddenly during a total blackout. The close proximity of her house to the coastline made concerns about rising sea levels the main reason residents rushed out of their homes toward higher ground.
A similar situation occurred in Buol Ward, Biau District. Niong, a local resident, said that the panic peaked when reports circulated about receding sea levels around the beach area. Efforts by residents to check on their families' safety were also temporarily hindered by telecommunications disruptions and traffic congestion of vehicles heading to the highlands.
The local government, through the Chief Executive of the Buol Regency Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), Moh. Kachfi Mardjuni, confirmed that the earthquake caused extensive physical damage. A number of public infrastructure projects, including ward rooms at the Buol Regional General Hospital (RSUD), the Inspectorate Office, and the Public Service Mall Office, suffered structural damage. In addition, several residential units and business facilities were also affected by the tremor.
Behind the material damage, a human tragedy also accompanied this event. A patient at the Buol Regional General Hospital was reported dead, strongly suspected to have suffered a heart attack due to shock from the massive earthquake tremors. Although the situation on the ground has gradually become conducive after BMKG confirmed the earthquake had no tsunami potential, residents are still asked to remain vigilant against potential aftershocks.
