Search efforts continue on Flores to find people trapped under the rubble following the earthquake
On the Indonesian island of Flores, rescue workers are searching for people trapped under the rubble following a 7.7-magnitude earthquake that killed at least 47 people. The quake struck on Saturday shortly before 5:00 a.m. local time at a depth of 15 km, according to BBC News World, citing the Indonesian Meteorology and Geophysics Agency.
According to preliminary data from Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), 24 deaths were reported in Manggarai. Another 17 people died in East Manggarai, three in Sikci, and at least one person each in Ngada, Ende, and West Manggarai. Two people suffered serious injuries, and 11 others sustained minor injuries.
According to preliminary estimates, the earthquake and dozens of aftershocks have severely damaged hundreds of buildings. More than 150 homes, dozens of schools, medical facilities, places of worship, offices, and other public buildings have been damaged. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, as the affected area is remote and mountainous.
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In Maumere, the largest city on Flores, large chunks of concrete fell from the port terminal building onto passengers waiting for the inter-island ferry. After the gangway to the ship collapsed, several people were swept into the sea. Landslides also cut off access to some villages, and rescue teams spent the day extracting people from under the rubble.
After the main tremor, authorities issued a tsunami warning, prompting about 2,000 people to evacuate on their own. The warning was lifted approximately three hours later when no significant rise in sea level was detected. The BNPB urged residents to remain calm, stay away from the coast, and avoid structures showing signs of damage. A total of 10,500 aid packages have already been delivered to the operations base.
On the same day, a 6.9-magnitude earthquake also struck on the other side of Indonesia. Indonesia is located at the junction of three major tectonic plates and regularly experiences earthquakes and volcanic activity.
