A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia’s Sulawesi Island early Monday, leaving a trail of destruction and chaos in its wake. The quake hit near the coastal city of Palu, causing buildings to collapse, roads to crack, and widespread power outages. Initial reports confirm at least 50 fatalities and hundreds more injured, though these numbers are expected to rise as rescue efforts continue.

Thousands of residents fled their homes in the early hours, many gathering in open fields and makeshift shelters to avoid potential aftershocks. The Indonesian National Board for Disaster Management (BNPB) has declared a state of emergency, mobilizing national and regional emergency services to provide aid, medical supplies, and temporary housing.

International humanitarian organizations, including the Red Cross and UN agencies, have also offered support. Rescue workers are combing through debris with the help of search dogs and specialized equipment, racing against time to locate survivors. The country’s infrastructure, already vulnerable due to its geographic location on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” faces further risk from landslides and tsunamis triggered by seismic activity.

President Joko Widodo addressed the nation, urging calm and pledging government assistance to rebuild affected communities. This earthquake serves as a stark reminder of Indonesia’s susceptibility to natural disasters, and officials have renewed calls for improved building standards and early warning systems to mitigate future tragedies.