Indonesia: Earthquake - Jan 1996

A strong earthquake occurred about 160 km north of the provincial capital Palu, Sulawesi Island, Indonesia, at 16:05 central Indonesian time (08:05 GMT) on 1 January 1996. The Indonesian Meteorology and Geophysics Agency (BMG) has communicated the magnitude - 7.0 Richter scale, epicentre. Latitude 0.60 degrees north, longitude 119.92 degrees east, depth - 39 km. Referring to the BMG report, the UNDP/DHA Representative in Jakarta indicates that the tremor was felt at (Mercalli scale) level four in Palu and levels two-three in Gorontalo. It also mentions an occurrence of a metre high tidal wave in the subdistrict Dampal Selatan at the villages of Soni, Bangkir, and Dongko; roads and some shops damaged. Media report nearly 400 wooden houses and government buildings damaged and eight people killed by the tidal wave. (UN DHA, 3 Jan 1996)

As of 5 January, a death toll of 8, with 1 person missing, is reported. 189 houses, 15 classrooms, 17 other public buildings and 2 bridges were damaged. The local office of public works estimates damage to buildings at approximately USD 1.2 million. (UN DHA, 12 Jan 1996)