Celebes Sea: Magnitude-5.3 offshore earthquake occurs in Celebes Sea off Karakelong Island at around 1246 WITA Dec. 28

Event

A magnitude-5.3 offshore earthquake occurred in the Celebes Sea, north of Karakelong Island, Talaud Islands Regency, North Sulawesi Province, Indonesia, at around 1246 WITA Dec. 28. The epicenter was approximately 400 km (249 miles) north-northeast of Manado, North Sulawesi Province, Indonesia. The tremor occurred at a depth of around 97 km (60 miles). The earthquake may have caused weak-to-light shaking in Karakelong and Sangihe islands, Talaud Islands Regency, North Sulawesi Province, Indonesia, as well as the southern parts of Davao Occidental and Sarangani provinces in the Philippines' Mindanao Island. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Aftershocks are possible.

Officials may temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to check for damage. Minor disruptions could occur during shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if no damage is found. Utility outages are possible, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter. The event has not prompted any tsunami advisories.

Advice

Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Consider vacating multistory buildings if operating in affected areas until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Allow additional time for air and road travel, as aftershocks may prompt brief disruptions. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected region due to potential landslides.