JAKARTA — At least 38 people have been killed and more than a dozen injured after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off eastern Indonesia on Saturday, triggering a tsunami warning and damaging buildings and roads across parts of East Nusa Tenggara, authorities said.
The earthquake struck near Nagekeo district on Flores island, according to Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysical Agency (BMKG), which recorded the epicenter about 30 km northeast of Mbay at a depth of 15 km. The agency later said the tsunami threat had ended.
Tsunami waves of less than 1 metre were detected at several locations, BMKG data showed. The warning was lifted about three hours after the earthquake. Authorities nevertheless urged residents in affected coastal areas to remain alert and follow official instructions.
The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) said thousands of residents had evacuated as emergency teams assessed the damage. Around 2,000 people were reported to have left their homes in Nagekeo, while landslides and damaged infrastructure disrupted access to some affected areas.
Maumere and other communities on Flores reported collapsed buildings, damaged homes and power outages. Rescue teams continued searching damaged structures as authorities worked to establish the full extent of casualties and destruction.
The death toll increased rapidly as rescue operations progressed. Earlier reports had put the number of fatalities at two, then five and 20, before authorities reported at least 38 deaths. The changing figures reflected continuing search and rescue operations and the difficulty of reaching some affected areas.
Indonesia's geophysics agency said the earthquake was followed by multiple aftershocks. Officials warned residents to remain cautious as emergency crews continued working in areas where buildings and other infrastructure had been damaged.
Indonesia lies on the seismically active Pacific Ring of Fire and frequently experiences earthquakes and volcanic activity. The Flores region has also experienced destructive earthquakes and tsunamis in the past.
Rescue and assessment operations were continuing on Saturday, with authorities expected to provide further updates on casualties, damage and the number of people requiring assistance.
