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Thousands of buildings collapsed and evacuations were still ongoing on Saturday in Palu town in Donggala region in Sulawesi, the Indonesian Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) said.
The first of a series of jolts was felt Friday at 3 pm. (4 pm ET) 35 miles north of Palu, according to the United States Geological Survey. The biggest shock – a magnitude 7.5 – was detected 50 miles north of Palu, according to the USGS.
The magnitude 7.5 tremor was "severe" and the probable earthquake damage was rated as "moderate to significant," the USGS said.
According to the BNPB, a localized tsunami has also hit the beaches of the cities of Palu and Donggala.
The Indonesian Meteorological Agency had issued an alert at the start of the tsunami, but it was later lifted after the agency found that the water had receded.
Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesperson for the BNPB, shared a video on Twitter of the tsunami that hit the coast in Palu. "The tsunami was about three meters tall," wrote Nugroho.
Indonesian National Armed Forces troops have been deployed to help cope with the effects of the earthquake and tsunami, according to the BNPB.
On his official Twitter account Friday, Indonesian President Joko Widodo said he was monitoring the situation and preparing for any eventuality after the earthquake.
"Let our brothers and sisters stay calm and safe," he wrote.
Local media reports that the Palu airport will be closed until Saturday evening.
