An earthquake in Indonesia claimed the lives of 51 people
The death toll from a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake on the island of Flores in Indonesia has risen to 51. More than a hundred people were injured, and about 5,000 residents were forced to leave their homes.
The earthquake struck on the morning of August 15 in the province of East Nusa Tenggara. The natural disaster triggered landslides and damaged roads, making it difficult for rescue workers to reach the affected areas.
According to local authorities, 36 people suffered serious injuries, while another 77 sustained minor injuries.
Following the main tremor, approximately 341 aftershocks were recorded, increasing the risks for residents of the region and rescue teams.
The earthquake is already being called the deadliest in Indonesia since 2022, when powerful tremors in West Java claimed the lives of hundreds of people.
The Sikka region was hardest hit by the earthquake. According to the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), more than 3,300 people in the area have evacuated on their own or are staying at a sports arena being used as a temporary shelter.
In some settlements, people have remained near their destroyed homes. Some residents are taking shelter under makeshift tarpaulin tents.
In the port city of Maumere, medical assistance is being provided to those affected, including directly in tents set up near the hospital.
Rescue services continue to operate in the affected areas, while authorities are assessing the extent of the damage and the needs of the evacuated population.
This was reported by Reuters.
Earlier reports indicated that at least 48 people were killed and another 101 were injured on the Indonesian island of Flores as a result of a 7.7-magnitude earthquake. About 5,000 residents have left their homes, and on Sunday, aid began to reach the evacuees, France 24 reports, citing AFP and Indonesian authorities.
Late Saturday, a 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck the Indonesian island of Sumatra. This was reported by NDTV World, which published a report from Agence France-Presse citing the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). According to the publication, this was the second powerful earthquake to strike Indonesia in a single day.
