- A powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off Flores island in eastern Indonesia early Saturday, killing at least 38 people, collapsing buildings and homes, and causing panic in a region prone to deadly quakes.
- The epicenter of the shallow quake was located off the north coast of the island, about 68 kilometers northwest of the coastal town of Ende.
- The initial jolt was followed by strong aftershocks, including one with a magnitude of 6.1.
- Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) warned of possible tsunami waves and urged people to get to higher ground.
- An official at the national disaster agency, BNPB, urged communities along the northern coast of Flores and southern regions to carry out self-evacuation immediately.
- Residents in Nagekeo regency and the town of Maumere evacuated to higher ground, with some racing as the sea retreated and others fleeing from among rubble of damaged buildings.
- Power outages and landslides cut off the Trans-Flores highway, hampering rescue efforts.
- The tsunami warning was later lifted after monitoring showed no significant sea-level changes.
A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck off Flores island in eastern Indonesia early Saturday, August 15, killing at least 38 people and causing widespread panic. The quake's epicenter was located 68 kilometers northwest of Ende, with a depth of 10 kilometers according to the U.S. Geological Survey.12
The earthquake triggered mass evacuations as residents fled to higher ground, fearing a tsunami. Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) initially warned of potential tsunami waves, urging communities along the northern coast to evacuate immediately. Abdul Muhari, an official at the national disaster agency, emphasized the need for self-evacuation, advising residents to move at least two kilometers inland or to higher ground more than 10 meters high.45
The quake was followed by strong aftershocks, including one measuring 6.1. Reports indicate significant damage, with buildings collapsing in the regencies of Sikka, Manggarai, and East Manggarai. Suharyanto, head of the National Disaster Management Agency, confirmed that 16 bodies were recovered from a landslide in Manggarai.3
Power outages have hampered rescue efforts, complicating communication and information flow. Rudi Darmoko, East Nusa Tenggara Police Chief, noted that landslides also cut off the Trans-Flores highway, further complicating access for rescue teams. The region, part of Indonesia's “Ring of Fire,” is known for its seismic activity, making it particularly vulnerable to such disasters.9
“The quake's epicenter was 68 km northwest of Ende, and a tsunami warning for waves up to 3 meters was later lifted after no significant sea-level changes. Landslides cut off the Trans-Flores highway, and 16 bodies were pulled from a landslide in Reok village.”
Le Monde.fr
The Globe and Mail
