Flores Earthquake Survivors Sift Through Rubble as Toll Reaches 47

Residents of a coastal village in East Nusa Tenggara began the slow process of clearing debris and assessing the damage on Sunday, a day after a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Flores Island.

The quake, which hit early Saturday morning, has claimed at least 47 lives, according to authorities. Dozens more were injured, and officials have cautioned that the death toll is likely to climb as search efforts continue.

In the Manggarai Barat district, families were seen sifting through the wreckage of their collapsed homes, pulling out personal belongings. One resident, Ferdinandus Saleman, described the harrowing escape from his damaged house.

"My house was damaged and nearly collapsed because of the earthquake, which struck at around 5 a.m. after dawn," Saleman said. "At the time, we were still sleeping inside the house. Fortunately, other residents were shouting from outside, so we woke up and ran out."

With many structures rendered uninhabitable, families have pitched tents in their yards and along roadsides. The U.S. Geological Survey reported the quake's epicenter was 68 kilometers (42 miles) north-northwest of the city of Ende, at a depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles). The region is no stranger to seismic activity, and the event has triggered a widespread response as residents come to terms with the loss.