A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia’s Flores region early Saturday, prompting a brief tsunami warning and leaving at least two people dead, according to the United States Geological Survey and local disaster officials. The shallow underwater tremor hit at 5:58 a.m. local time at a depth of 10 kilometers, with its epicenter located 68 kilometers north-northwest of Ende in the East Nusa Tenggara province, according to USGS data reported by multiple outlets.
Evacuations Ordered Following Tsunami Warning
The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency of Indonesia issued an immediate tsunami alert following the initial shock, advising coastal residents to move to higher ground. Abdul Muhari of the BNPB disaster agency instructed residents via local broadcaster Kompas TV to stay at least two kilometers away from the shoreline. The warning was subsequently lifted after authorities monitored coastal gauges and detected minor tsunami waves measuring between 19 and 30 centimeters.
Casualties and Structural Damage Across Flores Island
Berton Suar Pelita Panjaitan, spokesperson for Indonesia’s disaster management agency, confirmed to the press that a man and a woman were killed in the disaster. “Once the data is confirmed, we will officially announce the final number of victims and the extent of building damage caused by the earthquake,” Panjaitan stated. Images shared by the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) and reported by Reuters showed collapsed structures, including a damaged waiting room at the Pelni port terminal in Maumere. Father Guidelbertus Tanga, rector of the Ritapiret Major Seminary in Sikka, told reporters that students and nuns fled in panic as a roof collapsed during morning mass, leaving at least one priest with a fractured leg after jumping from a second-floor construction.
Seismic Activity and Regional Precedents
Indonesia spans the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a high-activity arc prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The initial 7.7-magnitude shock was followed by at least 37 aftershocks ranging between magnitudes 3.6 and 6.2, according to the country’s geophysical agency. This event follows a history of major seismic disasters in the region, including the 2018 Palu earthquake and tsunami where 2,200 people died, and the 2004 Sumatra earthquake, which killed 220,000 people across the region, including about 170,000 in Indonesia.
Pro Tip: Earthquake Safety in Archipelagos
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the magnitude of the Indonesia earthquake?
The USGS recorded the earthquake at a magnitude of 7.7.
Where was the epicenter located?
The epicenter was located 68 kilometers north-northwest of Ende, in Indonesia’s East Nusa Tenggara province, at a depth of 10 kilometers.
Were any tsunami warnings issued?
Yes, Indonesia’s meteorology agency issued a temporary tsunami warning that prompted coastal evacuations before being lifted shortly after.
How many casualties have been reported?
Disaster management officials confirmed at least two fatalities—a man and a woman—along with structural damage across parts of Flores Island.
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