Jakarta: A powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off Indonesia’s Flores Island early Saturday, leaving at least 38 people dead and causing extensive damage across parts of East Nusa Tenggara province. Officials warned that the death toll could rise as rescue teams continue reaching areas cut off by landslides and damaged infrastructure.
The earthquake struck at around 5:58am local time, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). Its epicentre was located approximately 68 kilometres north-northwest of Ende, at a depth of about 10 kilometres. The shallow depth contributed to the intensity of the shaking across the region.
Several areas on Flores Island were severely affected, with collapsed buildings and damaged homes reported. The hardest-hit regions include Sikka, Manggarai and East Manggarai, where most of the confirmed fatalities have been recorded.
Thousands flee as tsunami warning issued
The strong earthquake triggered immediate fears of a tsunami. Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency issued a tsunami warning for affected coastal areas and urged residents to move away from beaches and riverbanks and seek higher ground.
The warning was later lifted, but authorities continued advising residents to remain cautious and stay away from coastal areas and damaged buildings.
Around 2,000 residents in Nagekeo Regency, the area closest to the earthquake’s epicentre, reportedly evacuated their homes and moved to temporary shelters.
The situation has been complicated by the geography of East Nusa Tenggara, a region made up of numerous islands. Rescue teams have faced difficulties reaching some of the worst-hit locations, while landslides have blocked roads and damaged communication networks.
Aftershocks add to fears
The main earthquake was followed by numerous aftershocks throughout the day. The strongest recorded aftershock reached magnitude 6.1, raising concerns among residents and emergency officials about further damage.
Authorities have deployed three helicopters and a rescue vessel to support emergency operations, transport supplies and assist with possible evacuations. Rescue teams are also attempting to reach isolated communities by ferry where roads have become inaccessible.
Officials have warned that the current casualty figure may not represent the final toll because emergency teams have not yet been able to reach every affected area.
Second major earthquake hits Indonesia
The disaster was followed later on Saturday by another significant earthquake, this time in western Indonesia.
The USGS reported a magnitude 6.9 earthquake striking off the coast of Sumatra, thousands of kilometres from the Flores earthquake. Initial reports did not indicate casualties or major damage from the second quake.
The back-to-back seismic events have added to concerns in a country that regularly experiences earthquakes because of its location along the Pacific “Ring of Fire.”
Indonesia is one of the world’s most earthquake-prone countries, and its thousands of islands sit across several highly active tectonic zones.
A painful reminder of Flores’ past
The latest disaster has also revived memories of a devastating earthquake that struck the same region in December 1992.
That earthquake, also measured at magnitude 7.7, generated a powerful tsunami and killed more than 2,500 people on Flores.
As rescue operations continue following Saturday’s disaster, authorities are assessing the full extent of the destruction while monitoring the possibility of further aftershocks.
For thousands of residents who have been forced from their homes, the immediate priority remains finding shelter, medical assistance and safe access to essential supplies. With several communities still difficult to reach, the scale of the disaster is expected to become clearer as rescue and assessment teams move deeper into the affected areas.
