Strong Quake Rattles Northern Indonesia

By The Associated Press

JAKARTA, Indonesia - A strong earthquake destroyed houses and other buildings in northern Indonesia Wednesday, the Antara news agency reported. There were no reports of deaths or injuries.

The 6.1-magnitude temblor struck at 10:32 a.m. north of the Maluku islands, the U.S. Geological Survey said. The quake was centered 45 miles beneath the sea and 134 miles northeast of Ternate, the capital of North Maluku province.

Around 10 houses, a mosque and a school building were destroyed in Hapo village on Morotai island, the Antara report said, without giving further details.

"So far, reports received from Hapo village said the houses were ruined," said Helmy Agus Riadi, an official at the regional Meteorology and Geophysics Agency. "But there was no word of casualties."

There were no reports of a tsunami one hour after the quake struck.

Indonesia, the world's largest archipelago, is prone to seismic upheaval due to its location on the so-called Pacific "Ring of Fire," an arc of volcanos and fault lines encircling the Pacific Basin.

A magnitude-9 earthquake off of Sumatra island triggered the 2004 tsunami that killed at least 213,000 people in 11 countries — more than 131,000 of those in Indonesia alone.

  • [Exclusive Interview] A revelation within the brink of life and death — Meg Leung’s mission in Christian art

    Meg Leung (梁麗橋), an artist with a lifelong love for watercolor painting, sees her art as more than a means of expressing her inner world; it is a bridge connecting her to God. Her artistic journey has revealed God’s perfect plan and inspired her to communicate the power of faith through her wor

  • Transgenderism a fundamental human right? Hong Kong public disagrees, survey finds

    A 2024 survey from the Society for Truth and Light (明光社)'s Center for Life and Ethics Research reveals that respondents from various backgrounds prioritize personal safety and fairness when it comes to transgender issues. When laws involve moral judgments, most respondents believe courts should not make the decisions. The study also indicates that religious believers share similar views with non-religious respondents, reflecting that many churches may rarely address gender topics in depth.

  • Discipleship and Evangelism: Walking the Path of the Great Commission

    Like an ever-flowing spring, the gospel refreshes dry, parched lands and needs our unwavering passion and steadfast faith to transform lives and bring renewal. The "flame in our hearts" calls Christians to keep their faith and love for the Lord ablaze, representing the work and power of the Holy Spirit, driving us to proclaim God's glory boldly.

  • North America Chinese Evangelical Seminary year-end report highlights significant ministry progress

    As the year draws to a close, Rev. James Liu, President of the Chinese Evangelical Seminary North America (CESNA), reflected on the seminary’s remarkable growth and ministry development over the past year. Dedicated to providing theological education to Chinese Christians, CESNA continues to uphold its mission to remain faithful to the gospel and nurture believers. This year’s achievements span academic, ministerial, and outreach endeavors, fostering spiritual growth and advancing missionary wo