Sun Aug 17 06:38:33 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the provided text, followed by a rewrite as a news article:
**Summary:**
A magnitude 5.8 undersea earthquake struck the Poso district in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, on August 17, 2025, injuring 29 people. The earthquake was followed by aftershocks, but no tsunami warning was issued. A church service was disrupted, with many of the injured being congregants. The earthquake occurred due to Indonesia’s location on the “Ring of Fire,” a region prone to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis.
**News Article:**
**Earthquake Strikes Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, Injuring Dozens**
**Palu, Indonesia – August 17, 2025** – An undersea earthquake with a magnitude of 5.8 struck the eastern side of Indonesia near Poso district in Central Sulawesi province this morning, injuring 29 people, including two in critical condition. The quake, which struck at 12:08 pm IST and was followed by at least 15 aftershocks, caused panic and some structural damage.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the epicenter was located approximately 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) north of Poso. Indonesian authorities did not issue a tsunami warning.
“Most of the injured were attending Sunday morning service at a church when the earthquake struck,” stated Abdul Muhari, spokesperson for Indonesia’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency. Videos circulating online show structural damage to the church. The Poso Disaster Mitigation Agency is currently conducting rapid assessments to determine the full extent of the damage.
Indonesia, an archipelago nation of over 270 million people, is particularly vulnerable to seismic activity due to its location on the “Ring of Fire,” a highly active seismic zone in the Pacific Basin. This region is characterized by a high concentration of volcanoes and fault lines, making it susceptible to frequent earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis.
The 2022 earthquake in West Java’s Cianjur city claimed the lives of 602 people, and a 2004 Indian Ocean quake triggered a tsunami that killed over 230,000. Authorities are urging caution and advising residents to remain vigilant in the event of further aftershocks. The situation is developing, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.