MARITIMEPOSTS.COM – Beyond the official statistics, residents across Palu and neighboring districts spent the day and evening coping with persistent aftershocks and lingering uncertainty.
According to Ibnu Mundzir, a resident of Palu City, the strongest shaking occurred around midday when the magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck. Although conditions gradually improved throughout the day, aftershocks continued to be felt well into the evening.
“Alhamdulillah, after the main earthquake this afternoon, measuring 6.7 on the Richter Scale, aftershocks have continued until tonight, although their intensity is becoming weaker,” he said.
Mundzir noted that local monitoring reports had recorded nearly 177 aftershocks by nighttime, reflecting the ongoing seismic activity across the region.
He also reported damage in parts of neighboring Sigi Regency, where several homes were damaged and sections of road infrastructure were reportedly cut off or rendered inaccessible.
The psychological impact of the earthquake was also evident. Many families chose not to sleep inside their homes, preferring instead to spend the night on terraces or in open areas out of concern about additional aftershocks.
“Tonight, several families are sleeping outside on their porches,” Mundzir explained. “Since this afternoon, many vehicles have also been lining up at fuel stations. There has been a kind of panic buying, with people worried that fuel supplies might run out.”
Despite these challenges, Mundzir observed that the overall situation was gradually stabilizing as the evening progressed. Emergency services remained active, residents continued monitoring official information, and communities began adapting to the post-earthquake conditions.
“Overall, the situation is gradually improving,” he said.
The account highlights how the earthquake’s impact extended beyond physical damage, affecting public behavior, mobility, and the sense of security among residents who still carry memories of the devastating 2018 Palu disaster.
Source: Interview statement from Ibnu Mundzir, resident of Palu City, provided on the evening of 16 June 2026.
