At least 20 people have died after a powerful magnitude-7.7 earthquake struck off Indonesia’s eastern island of Flores early Saturday, damaging homes and public buildings and sending thousands of residents fleeing to safer areas, rescuers said.
The shallow earthquake struck at around 4:58 a.m. local time, with its epicentre off the northern coast of Flores, according to Indonesia’s geophysics agency BMKG. Several strong aftershocks followed, including one measured at magnitude 6.1, complicating rescue operations.
Rescue officials said six people were injured and two others remained trapped under rubble as emergency teams searched damaged buildings. Most of the casualties were reported in and around Maumere, the main town in Sikka Regency, while damage was also reported in several other areas of Flores.
The earthquake caused landslides that blocked roads and disrupted communications, making it difficult for rescuers to reach some of the worst-hit communities. Power outages were also reported, while hospitals in the region moved patients outdoors as a precaution after buildings were damaged.
Around 2,000 residents in Nagekeo were evacuated following the quake. Homes, warehouses and government buildings were damaged, while residents across East and West Nusa Tenggara reported intense shaking.
Authorities briefly issued a tsunami warning after the earthquake. Waves measuring less than one metre were recorded in several areas, but the warning was lifted about three hours later after the immediate tsunami threat passed.
Rescue teams continued searching through debris for survivors, with officials warning that the death toll could rise as emergency workers reach areas cut off by landslides and damaged roads. Indonesia lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the world’s most active seismic zones, and regularly experiences powerful earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
+ There are no comments
Add yours