Magnitude 7.7 Quake Hits Indonesia's Flores Region, Killing at Least 20
A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off Indonesia's Flores coast, killing at least 20 and damaging buildings, including a port terminal.
A powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia on Saturday, killing at least 20 people and damaging buildings and homes across the Flores region. The quake, which hit at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers at 0558 local time, sent residents fleeing from structures and coastal areas in panic.
Video footage from the scene shows the moment the tremor struck, with the terminal building at Lorens Say Port in Maumere sustaining visible damage. The footage also captures locals running for shelter, with some seeking safety in open spaces as debris fell around them.
The U.S. Geological Survey placed the epicenter 68 kilometers north-northwest of the city of Ende in East Nusa Tenggara province. Authorities reported that six people were injured and at least two remained missing following a landslide triggered by the quake.
A tsunami warning was initially issued for parts of eastern Indonesia, prompting residents to flee coastal areas. The alert was later lifted after no significant sea-level changes were detected. Several aftershocks followed the initial tremor.
Indonesia, situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire, is highly prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity, making such events a recurring threat to communities across the archipelago.