Meriddian Times News

A powerful earthquake has struck Indonesia, injuring dozens of people and leaving at least two in critical condition, according to local officials.

The quake, which measured 6.4 on the Richter scale, struck early on Sunday morning near the island of Sulawesi, shaking buildings and forcing residents into the streets. Authorities said the tremor was felt across several provinces, with aftershocks continuing throughout the day.

Emergency services reported damage to homes, schools, and several public buildings. Rescue workers are searching through debris in some rural areas where communication has been cut off, raising fears that the number of injured could rise.

Two patients are reported to be in critical condition after being pulled from collapsed structures. “Our teams are working around the clock to reach the most affected communities,” said Sutopo Nugroho, a spokesperson for Indonesia’s disaster response agency.

Indonesia sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” an area prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity. In recent years, the country has been hit by several devastating quakes, including the 2018 Sulawesi disaster that killed more than 4,000 people.

Officials have urged residents to remain alert as aftershocks continue, though no tsunami warning has been issued.