Luwuk, Indonesia—The ground shook violently at 06:28 a.m. local time. The earthquake, recorded at a magnitude of 5.6, originated in the waters off the coast of northern Banggai. While the epicenter was deep, the intensity of the vibrations was felt clearly across the entire region, including Luwuk and parts of Gorontalo.

Buildings swayed, and residents rushed into the streets in a panic. The shaking lasted for nearly thirty seconds in some sectors. Local authorities immediately began checking for structural damage to schools and public offices. As of this afternoon, there have been no reports of mass casualties or building collapses.

The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) issued a rapid assessment following the tremor. They confirmed the earthquake was tectonic in origin, resulting from shifts along the regional fault lines. They emphasized that the event does not have the potential to trigger a tsunami, despite the offshore location.

Residents in Luwuk reported experiencing the shaking at an intensity level of III-IV on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale. That level is strong enough to wake sleeping individuals and cause hanging objects to swing wildly. People in Gorontalo also felt a lighter, sustained tremor throughout the early morning.

Emergency services have remained on high alert throughout the day. They are conducting assessments in the districts closest to the coastline, where the ground is less stable. So far, the infrastructure appears to have withstood the force of the earthquake without major failure.

Schools have resumed operations, though many students were sent home as a precaution. The sense of unease remains high among the population, with many checking their homes for cracks in the walls or foundations. The local government has encouraged residents to stay calm and follow official updates.

Seismologists are monitoring for potential aftershocks. It is common for earthquakes of this magnitude to be followed by smaller tremors over the next twenty-four hours. The regional disaster management office has set up information centers to provide help to those feeling overwhelmed by the event.

Communication networks in the city are functioning normally, which has helped curb the spread of misinformation. The police and local government are working to ensure that vital services continue to run without interruption. The situation is being treated as a standard, albeit frightening, tectonic event.