BNPB Forms Task Force to Assess Quake Damage in Sulawesi and Maluku

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The government, through the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), has formed a task force to assess the impact of the 7.6-magnitude earthquake that struck North Sulawesi and North Maluku on Thursday morning, April 2, 2026.

BNPB Head Suharyanto emphasized that establishing the task force was a priority to obtain comprehensive damage data, which will serve as the basis for further disaster management in the affected areas.

“In accordance with the President’s instructions through the Cabinet Secretary, a joint team from the central government, coordinated by BNPB, will soon be present in North Maluku and North Sulawesi,” Suharyanto said during an online coordination meeting.

In addition to forming the assessment team, BNPB instructed all regional agencies to move quickly to reach out to communities. The immediate focus is to record and fulfill the basic needs of residents affected by the earthquake. “Today, we have only collected part of the data. As time goes by, it will become more complete,” Suharyanto explained.

Personnel from the Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), the Indonesian Military (TNI), and the Indonesian National Police (Polri) have been deployed to the field to check on residents’ conditions, provide accurate information, and follow up on reports of damage. “If any affected community members experience hardship or have their assets or homes damaged, report it immediately so that action can be taken,” he said.

Following reports of casualties, the government is preparing search and rescue measures to swiftly locate and treat victims. A joint team from the central government will be deployed under BNPB coordination to ensure that the response process runs optimally and in a coordinated manner.

Upon arrival, the team will meet with local authorities to develop a detailed action plan. “This is an initial meeting. Once we arrive, we will hold a more detailed meeting to discuss, identify, and resolve all disaster mitigation issues in the region,” Suharyanto said.

The earthquake struck at 6:48 a.m. local time, centered in the sea about 129 kilometers southeast of Bitung, North Sulawesi.

Tremors were also felt in parts of North Maluku and Gorontalo. Affected areas included Ternate, the Tidore Islands, and West Halmahera, where strong tremors triggered panic among residents, particularly in coastal areas vulnerable to tsunamis. (Misni Parjiati/Lasti Martina)