A 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Indonesia claimed at least 38 lives
At least 38 people have died as a result of a 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck the Indonesian island of Flores on Saturday morning. Rescue operations are ongoing, and the official death toll is rising, according to BBC News, citing Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB).
The tremors occurred shortly before 5:00 a.m. local time on Saturday. According to Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency, the earthquake had a depth of 15 kilometers. Dozens of aftershocks were recorded in the region following the main quake, including one with a magnitude of 6.1. The epicenter was approximately 1,000 kilometers from Bali.
Buildings in the affected areas sustained damage. Video footage from the port of Maumere shows large pieces of concrete falling from the terminal building onto passengers waiting for an inter-island ferry. After the gangway to the ship collapsed, some people ended up in the water.
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Emanuel Melchiores Laka Lena, governor of East Nusa Tenggara Province, stated that people died in their sleep due to the collapse of debris. The BNPB also reported at least two people with serious injuries and 11 with minor injuries. The agency recorded, in particular, three fatalities in Sikka, six in Manggarai, and five in East Manggarai.
According to preliminary data from the BNPB, 54 residential buildings, five medical facilities, three places of worship, six government buildings, an educational institution, and a warehouse were seriously damaged. Manggarai has been identified as one of the hardest-hit areas. The full extent of the damage has yet to be assessed, as the region is remote and mountainous.
After the earthquake, authorities issued a tsunami warning, but lifted it approximately three hours later, as no significant rise in sea level was recorded. The BNPB reported that 2,000 people were evacuated or relocated on their own. Residents were advised to remain calm, stay away from the coast, and avoid structures showing signs of damage.
