World

Magnitude 6.1 earthquake hits Sulawesi past midnight

Preliminary data from the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) report no immediate casualties or significant damage following the earthquake

Updated 1 month ago · Published on 16 Aug 2026 9:28AM

Magnitude 6.1 earthquake hits Sulawesi past midnight
A magnitude 6.1 earthquake strikes the Minahasa region of Sulawesi in Indonesia, shortly after midnight on Sunday - August 16, 2026

A MAGNITUDE 6.1 earthquake strikes the Minahasa region of Sulawesi, Indonesia, shortly after midnight on Sunday (Aug 16) sending tremors across several districts in eastern Sabah.

The earthquake was recorded at approximately 12:25am. local time in the Minahasa region of Sulawesi.

Preliminary European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) measurements placed the earthquake at a depth of approximately 51 kilometers (32 miles).

There were no immediate confirmed reports of casualties or significant damage following the earthquake.

Authorities and seismic agencies are monitoring the region for additional information, including possible aftershocks and reports of shaking from communities across Sulawesi.

Indonesia experiences frequent earthquakes because of its location along the seismically active Pacific Ring of Fire.

The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) said the earthquake, located about 116 kilometres northeast of Palu, Indonesia, caused tremors felt in Tawau, Lahad Datu and Semporna in Sabah.

MetMalaysia reported that there was no tsunami threat to Malaysia from the earthquake. - August 16, 2026

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