Magnitude 5.1 Earthquake Felt Off Bali's Coast, Tremors Reported in Legian, Ubud and Canggu
A magnitude 5.1 earthquake at a depth of 10km struck off the coast of Bali on Tuesday, with tremors reported in popular tourist areas including Legian, Ubud and Canggu. It follows a series of earthquakes above magnitude 5 elsewhere in Indonesia in recent days. No tsunami warning or major damage has been reported so far.
The US Geological Survey recorded a magnitude 5.1 earthquake at a depth of 10km off the coast of Bali on Tuesday. A social media user in Legian, around 20km from Denpasar International Airport, wrote "Did you feel the earthquake? Run," while tremors were also reported in Ubud and Canggu, both popular with Australian tourists.
According to Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the quake follows a recent series of earthquakes above magnitude 5 elsewhere in Indonesia, including a 5.7-magnitude quake off West Java on October 11 and another 5.7-magnitude tremor near Gorontalo on October 12.
Adam Pascale of the Seismology Research Centre advised travelers to earthquake-prone regions like Indonesia to familiarize themselves with safety procedures in advance, noting many may be unaccustomed to strong earthquakes. "If you feel a strong tremor, drop, cover and hold on. Most injuries happen from falling objects, so it is important to follow these guidelines. Do not run outside," he said. He also warned of potential tsunami risk following strong shaking and advised moving to higher ground and staying away from beaches.
In August, a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off the coast of Flores in eastern Indonesia, reportedly killing at least 47 people and damaging buildings, with a tsunami warning later lifted. Indonesia remains Australia's most popular overseas destination, with around 1.75 million visits by Australian residents in 2025.
Things to Consider
If you feel strong shaking, do not run outside — drop to the ground, take cover under sturdy furniture, and hold on until the shaking stops. If you're near the coast, move to higher ground or inland immediately afterward in case of a tsunami. Check evacuation routes and the nearest high ground when checking into your accommodation, and keep copies of your passport and key documents somewhere you can grab quickly.
Source: Daily Mail