At least 40 people have been killed and around 50 injured after a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck off Indonesia’s Flores Island, triggering landslides, building collapses and panic across parts of East Nusa Tenggara.
The latest casualty figures were provided by local rescue officials as emergency teams continued search-and-rescue operations in the worst-hit areas. Authorities have warned that the death toll could rise as several remote communities remain difficult to reach because of landslides, damaged roads and communication disruptions.
The earthquake struck at around 5:58am local time on Saturday, with its epicentre located about 68 kilometres north-northwest of Ende. The shallow earthquake caused severe shaking across Flores, with homes, public buildings and other infrastructure damaged or destroyed.
More than 2,000 residents were forced to leave their homes and move to temporary shelters. Initial assessments indicated that at least 157 houses were destroyed and nearly 200 others damaged, while more than 100 public facilities, including schools and places of worship, were also affected.
The earthquake also triggered landslides that blocked roads and isolated some villages, complicating rescue efforts. Emergency responders have been working to reach affected communities and search collapsed structures for survivors.
A tsunami warning was issued shortly after the earthquake, prompting residents in coastal areas to move to higher ground. The warning was later lifted after authorities determined that there was no continuing major tsunami threat.
The main shock was followed by hundreds of aftershocks, including several strong tremors, adding to concerns among residents and rescuers.
Indonesia sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the world’s most seismically active regions, making the country particularly vulnerable to major earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis.
Rescue and damage-assessment operations remain underway, with authorities expecting a clearer picture of the disaster’s full impact as teams gain access to isolated areas.