RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – An earthquake measuring 7.6 struck North Sulawesi on Thursday morning, April 2, 2026, leaving two people dead after being hit by falling debris.

One of the victims was identified as Deice Lahia, 70, a resident of Teteli in Minahasa Regency. She died after being struck by a building in the Indonesian National Sports Committee (KONI) area of Manado when the quake occurred.

Her body is currently at Bhayangkara Hospital in Manado, where medical staff are conducting procedures and identification before releasing it to her family.

The victim’s younger brother, Jek, said he received the tragic news by telephone while he was at another family member’s home. “I immediately went to the location and then assisted in transporting her body to the hospital,” he told Pro3 RRI on Thursday.

According to Jek, his sister usually sold pastries at a small kiosk in the KONI Manado area, which was directly affected by the earthquake. He last saw her three days before the incident. “She called and asked me to come home. But I told her I’d come the next morning,” he said.

The family has accepted the incident as a natural disaster. “I hope that my sister’s remains will be treated with respect by the relevant authorities,” Jek said.

The family plans to hold the funeral the following day, as the condition of the remains does not allow for a longer delay. (Gusti Panji/Lasti Martina)