Indonesia Earthquake: Over 47 Dead, Thousands Displaced on Flores Island

Rescue teams in Indonesia are actively searching for survivors following a devastating magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck Flores Island on Saturday. The tremor, which hit just before 05:00 local time with a depth of 15km, has tragically claimed the lives of at least 47 people.

Preliminary assessments indicate that the quake and over 340 aftershocks have caused severe damage to more than 900 homes and numerous other buildings. The full extent of the disaster is still being determined due to the remote and mountainous terrain of the affected region.

Fatalities have been reported across several provinces, with Manggarai province being among the hardest hit, recording 24 deaths. East Manggarai registered 17 deaths, Sikka had three, and at least one death occurred in Ngada, Ende, and West Manggarai provinces. Additionally, dozens of educational facilities, healthcare centers, places of worship, and offices have been damaged.

Videos from Maumere, the largest town on Flores, depict scenes of destruction at the port, with concrete structures collapsing onto waiting passengers. The earthquake’s impact was felt across a wide area, prompting evacuations, although an initial tsunami warning was later lifted.

More than 5,000 people are currently in evacuation shelters, with thousands of aid packages being distributed. Emergency response efforts are prioritizing the basic needs and logistics for those displaced. Authorities are advising residents to remain calm and stay clear of damaged structures and coastal areas.

Indonesia, situated on the volatile “Ring of Fire,” is highly susceptible to seismic activity and volcanic eruptions due to its location at the convergence of major tectonic plates.

Read more here: https://nilepost.co.ug/news/363812/rescuers-search-for-survivors-of-powerful-indonesia-earthquake