Ambon, Maluku (ANTARA) - An earthquake, measuring 6.8 on the Richter Scale, rocked Ambon, Maluku Province, on Thursday at 8:46 a.m. local time, claiming one life.

Edwin Pattikawan, a local official, revealed here on Thursday that a landslide triggered by a tremor in Nania Village, Teluk Ambon Sub-district, buried an unidentified victim.

The earthquake of Modified Mercalli Intensity MMI III was felt in several Maluku towns.

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Heavy equipment was required to move the victim's body that was yet buried under the debris.

The tremor did not have the potential to trigger a tsunami, but several residents were panic-stricken and fled to a hilly area.

A total of 24 aftershocks occurred following the 6.8-magnitude earthquake, whose epicenter was located at 40 km northeast of Ambon, 43 km southeast of Western Seram, and at a depth of 10 km below sea level. Related news: Agency urges people to not panic over massive earthquake issue

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Translator: Alex Sariwating, Fardah
Editor: Azizah Fitriyanti
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