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 evacuations and a temporary tsunami warning.
Rescue teams are searching collapsed buildings for survivors, with some people reportedly still trapped beneath rubble. Nagekeo and Maumere were among the hardest-hit areas, with damaged buildings, landslides and disrupted roads and communications.
About 2,000 residents in Nagekeo fled to safer areas after the shallow earthquake struck. Some residents also moved 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 continued to monitor sea levels and urged residents to stay away from damaged buildings because of the risk of aftershocks.
Several aftershocks were recorded following the main earthquake, while landslides blocked roads and complicated rescue operations. 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 revived memories of the devastating 1992 Flores earthquake, which triggered a tsunami and killed about 2,500 people.
Rescue teams are continuing to assess the damage, while officials warned that the death toll could rise as more affected areas become accessible.
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