A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck off eastern Indonesia early Saturday, killing at least five people and triggering a tsunami warning that sent thousands of residents fleeing to higher ground.
Several coastal areas recorded tsunami waves measuring less than one metre, while dozens of aftershocks rattled parts of the region. Authorities lifted the tsunami warning around three hours after the initial earthquake.
Five people reported killed in collapsed rubble
East Nusa Tenggara Governor Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena said five people were killed after rubble from collapsing structures fell on them while they were asleep.
However, Indonesia’s national disaster mitigation agency, BNPB, initially reported one death and four injuries as officials continued assessing the damage.
Videos verified by Reuters showed people running into the streets as parts of a building collapsed in Maumere, the main town in Sikka Regency on Flores Island.
Residents described intense shaking across the region.
“The quake was massive, the shock was so strong,” said Nona, a 51-year-old resident of Talibura. She said 13 people were inside her house when the earthquake struck and everyone immediately rushed outside for safety.
Strong shaking was reported in East Nusa Tenggara, West Nusa Tenggara and parts of South Sulawesi, with residents in several locations saying the shaking continued for about a minute.
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Tsunami warning sends residents to higher ground
The Indonesian geophysics agency BMKG recorded the main earthquake at 4:58am local time, at a depth of approximately 15 kilometres.
The undersea earthquake generated tsunami waves below one metre in several coastal locations. Authorities quickly issued a tsunami warning, prompting residents in vulnerable areas to evacuate.
Around 2,000 people in Nagekeo were reported to have moved to safer locations. Authorities also reported damage to houses, warehouses and government facilities, along with traffic congestion and power outages in parts of the area.
A hospital in Ende reportedly moved patients outdoors as a precaution, while local reports also indicated that at least one landslide occurred following the earthquake.
Indonesia lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire
Indonesia is particularly vulnerable to earthquakes because it sits along the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the world’s most active seismic zones. The region is where several tectonic plates meet, resulting in frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity.
The latest earthquake was followed by numerous aftershocks, although authorities continued monitoring the situation for further hazards.
Australia’s tsunami warning centre said the earthquake posed no tsunami threat to mainland Australia, its islands or territories.
Authorities in Indonesia are continuing to assess the extent of casualties and structural damage while monitoring affected communities for additional aftershocks and other dangers.
