Indonesia ordered evacuations of northern areas threatened by tsunami waves after a 7.8-magnitude quake struck the southern Philippines.
Officials in areas at highest risk, including Manado, northern Gorontalo province, and the Sangihe islands, instructed residents to evacuate in an orderly manner to higher ground.
The national disaster agency said the situation on the ground was 'safe, calm, and under control' for the moment, urging the public not to panic and to prioritize the safety of vulnerable groups.
Residents were also reminded not to spread unverified rumors or information and to refer to regular data updates from relevant agencies and officers in the field.
Indonesia and neighboring countries experience frequent earthquakes due to their location in the Pacific 'Ring of Fire,' an arc of intense seismic activity stretching from Japan through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin.
