Tsunami Warning Issued for North Sulawesi After 7.8 Earthquake

Indonesian authorities issued tsunami warnings on the morning of 8 June 2026 after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Sarangani, in southern Mindanao, Philippines. The quake hit at 07:37 local time, and the Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) immediately issued warnings and evacuation orders for five provinces: North Sulawesi, North Maluku, Southeast Sulawesi, Gorontalo, and East Kalimantan.

The U.S. Consulate General in Surabaya issued a Natural Disaster Alert the same day, advising all residents and visitors to avoid coastal areas and roads in the affected regions. Evacuation orders were enacted across the Sangihe and Talaud Islands, which lie closest to the epicentre and bore the greatest impact.

According to Indonesia’s disaster mitigation agency spokesperson Abdul Muhari, tsunami waves of up to 0.75 metres were detected along parts of North Sulawesi. The agency confirmed at least three people injured and 1,160 residents displaced across the Sangihe and Talaud Islands regencies. More than 100 homes and structures sustained damage, with additional impacts reported in North Minahasa Regency. Infrastructure disruptions, including power outages and road damage, were recorded across parts of North Sulawesi and North Maluku.

The tsunami warnings were cancelled approximately six hours after the initial earthquake struck, and no major waves reached the wider Indonesian archipelago. However, as of 9 June 2026, the situation continues to develop. Some coastal communities remain in temporary shelters, and local authorities have not yet issued full all-clears for the most affected island regencies.

Travellers planning visits to Manado and the surrounding North Sulawesi coast, or anywhere across Sulawesi, should monitor BMKG (bmkg.go.id) for aftershock and coastal advisories before approaching beach areas. Regional airports in Manado and Ternate reported no major flight cancellations at time of publication, but passengers with connections through these hubs should confirm flight status directly with their airline, as ground conditions can affect operations at short notice.

We strongly recommend that anyone travelling to affected regions review our Indonesia safety guide for up-to-date protocols and ensure their policy covers natural disaster evacuation — see our Indonesia travel insurance guide for options suited to this type of risk. This story is developing and will be updated as further information becomes available.