Less than a minute before a powerful earthquake hit Palu, Indonesia, pilot Ricosetta Mafella heard a voice urging him to “depart early,” which helped him take off with 148 people on board just in time to avoid disaster.

Despite delays caused by heavy winds, Mafella sped up boarding after feeling this divine warning. The earthquake struck at 6:02 p.m., shortly after his plane took off.

Thanks to air traffic controller Anthonius Gunawan Agung, who stayed in the control tower to clear the flight for takeoff, Mafella’s plane safely left the airport. Sadly, Agung died when the tower collapsed as others evacuated.

Mafella believes this experience proves God’s presence and feels grateful to have been saved by what he calls a “Holy Spirit” voice.