At least 20 people have been killed and six injured after a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck off Indonesia’s Flores Island on Saturday, triggering mass evacuations and a temporary tsunami warning.
Rescuers are searching collapsed buildings for survivors, with some people still reported trapped beneath rubble. The hardest-hit areas include Nagekeo and Maumere, where buildings were damaged and landslides disrupted roads and communications.
About 2,000 residents in Nagekeo fled to safer areas after the shallow earthquake struck. Some residents rushed to higher ground after the sea appeared to retreat, raising fears of a tsunami.
Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency later lifted the tsunami warning after only minor waves were recorded. Authorities, however, continued monitoring sea levels and warned residents to stay away from damaged buildings because of possible aftershocks.
Several aftershocks were recorded following the main quake, while landslides blocked roads and complicated rescue efforts. Hospitals in affected areas also evacuated patients as a precaution after walls and other structures were damaged.
The earthquake struck near Flores, a region frequently affected by seismic activity because Indonesia lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire.
The disaster has renewed memories of the devastating 1992 Flores earthquake, which triggered a tsunami and killed about 2,500 people. Rescue teams are continuing to assess the extent of the damage, and officials warned that the death toll could rise as more affected areas become accessible.
