Buol, Central Sulawesi. A magnitude 5.1 earthquake struck Indonesia's Central Sulawesi province on Sunday night, damaging homes and public buildings and leaving one hospital patient dead during an evacuation, local authorities said.

According to the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency, the earthquake struck at 9:46 p.m. local time with a depth of 10 kilometers. Its epicenter was located in Buol regency.

The tremor was felt not only across Buol but also in Tolitoli and Parigi in Central Sulawesi, as well as Marisa and Tilamuta in neighboring Gorontalo province.

Buol Disaster Mitigation Agency chief Moh Khacfy Mardjun said preliminary assessments showed damage to several public facilities and residential properties.

Among the affected buildings were the regency's public service center, parts of Buol Regional Hospital, a local government office, the Daeng Sugi Leok 2 restaurant, and two houses.

“Preliminary data show damage to several public facilities and residential buildings. One patient at the regional hospital also died during the evacuation process,” Khacfy said.

The earthquake triggered panic among residents, prompting many to evacuate to open areas and other locations considered safer.

Authorities are continuing to assess the extent of the damage while setting up temporary shelters for displaced residents.

Khacfy said urgent needs include emergency tents, medicines, ready-to-eat food, blankets, baby supplies, clothing for elderly residents, generators, tarpaulins, and financial assistance to help repair damaged homes.

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