February 23, 1969 Tsunami: Makassar Strait, Indonesia

The earthquake produced a tsunami and waves descended upon the coastal villages north of hladjene. Their height was 4 m in Paletoang and 1.5 m in Parosanga and Palipi. There were mainly wooden structures in these villages: houses along the bay were washed by tsunami waves. The banana plantations in the coastal area were damaged. Large blocks of Neogene calcareous clays and tuffs were thrown on the road at several places between the villages of Somba and Parasanga. The coral reef edges projecting above water were destroyed to some extent and thrown on the coast. According to an eyewitness account a roar was heard from the seaside. (reference #417)

An earthquake in the Celebes (Sulawesi) on February 23 (3.1 S, 118.9 E) generated a tsunami which, according to press reports, caused 600 deaths and demolished four villages on the west coast of Celebes. (reference #45)

According to the more recent reports, 64 people were killed, 97 were injured, and 1,287 structures were wrecked as a result of the earthquake. The place worst hit was Madjene along the west coast of Celebes Islands. Damages in the West of Madjene were caused by tsunami and heavy shocks; those in the East of Madjene were by the heavy shocks only. Subsidence of the ocean floor outside the harbor of Madjene caused extensive damage to the harbor pier. Tsunami waves struck the coastal villages to the north. The waves were about 4 m high at Pa1etoang and about l m high at Paro Sanga and Paiipi. Wood-framed buildings in the area were swept away by the tsunami and banana plantations were destroyed. People in the area who were interviewed stated that a roaring sound was heard coming from the sea prior to the tsunami arrival. (reference #3741)

Note: references #45 and #1039 list 600 deaths due to tsunami and 64 due to earthquake, citing press report(s). However, other references (e.g. #1398 and #4659) list only 64 total deaths.