Viral video: Indonesia island hit by tsunami after strong earthquake

Indonesia has a storied and frightening history with tsunamis, and on Friday, it was given a stark reminder.

A 7.7-magnitude earthquake which struck off the coast of the island of Sulawesi triggered a tsunami which lashed parts of Indonesia.

Brave citizen journalists armed with their smartphones took to high land — or a tall building — and filmed the entire ordeal.

In the case of the below haunting video doing the rounds on Twitter, the latter is true.

Indonesia geophysics agency says Sulawesi quake caused a tsunami. This video is doing the rounds. We believe it is real. pic.twitter.com/7xDzzRuj5v

— David Lipson (@davidlipson) September 28, 2018

According to the Jakarta Post, it could not independently verify the validity of the video — which has seemingly been filmed near the Palu Grand Mall on Sulawesi.

Another Twitter user, replying to ABC Australia journalist David Lipson, confirmed the validity of the video, suggesting that tremors from the quake could be felt as far as Jakarta.

“Yes its real, felt the vibrations all the way is west Jakarta 16th floors up, must have been very powerful,” he wrote.

Yes its real, felt the vibrations all the way is west Jakarta 16th floors up, must have been very powerful )-:

— Jan Laczynski (@YYarni) September 28, 2018

A slightly longer video suggests the ocean receded massively just prior to the onrushing wave — a telltale trait of a tsunami.

Its so close to my city. After earthquakes then we attack by tsunami again. Please pray for us 🙁 #PrayForDonggala #Gempa pic.twitter.com/9Q7fWBuOer

— ★ ghy ★ (@ksjnoona) September 28, 2018

While other Twitter users dug deeper, searching for the landmarks — like the green mosque and billboard — depicted in the videos.

A photo from Google Maps (left), appears to show the same mosque from the video (right).

The left photo was taken from Palu Grand Mall in Central Sulawesi. Link: https://t.co/ieWcL07gET pic.twitter.com/uxxsRqD29j

— Herman Saksono (@hermansaksono) September 28, 2018

The hashtag #PrayForDonggala — the name of the closest town to the epicenter of the quake — began trending globally on Twitter, as netizens issued their words of comfort to those affected.

Please stay safe everyone 🙏
Stay with your family and pray alot. We are praying with you.#PrayForDonggala

— 슙침 ~ 윤민 9395 (@CelestialYM9395) September 28, 2018

The extent of the damage is not yet known.

Feature image: GDJ via Pixabay (CC0)