What were the magnitude and location of the recent earthquake in Northern Sumatra, Indonesia?

The earthquake had a magnitude of 6.9 and struck Northern Sumatra, Indonesia, with its epicentre located at Pematangsiantar, about 126 kilometres southeast of Medan.

Why was a tsunami warning issued after the earthquake in Indonesia?

A tsunami warning was issued due to the powerful nature of the earthquake, as tsunami waves of less than 1 meter were initially recorded in some areas, prompting authorities to advise coastal residents to evacuate.

How did the earthquake affect buildings and infrastructure in the impacted regions?

The earthquake caused severe damage, including the collapse of buildings and power outages, which hampered communication and search and rescue efforts in the affected areas.

Indonesia hit by another major earthquake: 6.9-magnitude tremor shakes Sumatra

An earthquake of magnitude 6.9 struck Northern Sumatra, Indonesia on Saturday. This is the second earthquake to hit Indonesia on August 15

Updated on: Aug 15, 2026, 18:05:18 IST

By HT News Desk

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An earthquake of magnitude 6.9 struck Northern Sumatra, Indonesia, on Saturday, the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) said. The quake was at a depth of 158 km (98.18 miles).

The quake was at a depth of 158 km (98.18 miles). (Representational)

The epicentre was located at Pematangsiantar, about 126 kilometres (78 miles) southeast of the island's capital Medan. The quake stuck at a depth of 183 kilometres, and no tsunami warning has been issued.

This is the second earthquake to hit Indonesia on August 15. Earlier Saturday, an earthquake of magnitude 7.7 hit Indonesia followed by aftershocks and a brief tsunami warning according to the nation’s geophysics agency BMKG. The quake claimed 38 lives.

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Visuals of the earthquake's impact surfaced on social media, showing buildings collapsing and crumbling to pieces as people nearby ran to safety.

(With inputs from AFP)

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